Freedom Day Celebration

This monumental day in South Africa’s history was the culmination of years of international campaigns and cultural, sporting and economic boycotts, mass protests and armed struggle – finally resolved through a negotiated settlement and democratic elections. Freedom Day represents liberation for the people of South Africa, and importantly, reconciliation and peace.

To celebrate Freedom Day this year, on 27th April 2021 we will be joined by an influential panel of speakers sharing their memories and reflections on Freedom Day and how April 27th 1994 shaped their future and that of South Africa.

The panel discussion will be moderated by (left to right in image) John Battersby, a current Director of the South African Chamber of Commerce UK who as a journalist witnessed Mandela’s release from prison in February 1990. The panel will include Zondwa Mandela, Chairman of the Mandela Legacy Foundation; Kathi Scott, Executive Director of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund UK which she helped to found in 1996; Annabel Vundla, the first black female pilot in the South African Air Force and First Officer of Inkwazi, the Presidential jet, from 1999 to 2010; and Veronica King, a South African communications specialist, master facilitator, executive coach and social justice advocate.

There will be a special welcome by South African High Commissioner to the UK, HE Tembi Tambo.

We will be screening the Karen Zoid version of Hallelujah dedicated to Nelson Mandela and a video collage of reflections featuring contributions from various members of the South African Chamber of Commerce.

Watch the recording here: