National Day Media Statement
Coinciding with this commemoration will be the fifth municipal elections to elect Councillors who will be responsible for governing municipalities for the next five years. This will be done in keeping with our Constitutional obligations of respecting every citizen’s right to choose their government of choice given that the right to vote is enshrined in the Bill of Rights in our Constitution. We therefore will be commemorating this year’s Freedom Month under the theme; ‘TOGETHER BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES-LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS’!
The occasion of the Freedom Day also provides an opportunity to thank all those people in the world who supported and assisted South Africa in its fight for freedom from the discriminatory apartheid regime. South Africa and Turkey has strengthened its relations at the highest levels with the visit of President Jacob Zuma in November 2015 to attend the G20 Summit hosted by President Erdogan. South Africa has worked closely with Turkey in important global fora such as the G20, the United Nations and the Africa-Turkey Forum, amongst others. South Africa and Turkey are in agreement on many international issues, one of which includes the peaceful settlement of disputes and the eradication of the global phenomenon of terrorism. South Africa has demonstrated its support to the Turkish people in the attacks levied against them through the public statements of condolence by President Zuma, and will continue to work with Turkey in strengthening relations between the two countries.
As part of the Freedom Day celebrations, there will be a media breakfast for the senior media community in Ankara on April 26th and in the morning of April 27th 2016 a breakfast meeting will be held for 20 senior business leaders in partnership with MUSIAD. Following the CEO Engagement for the South African Freedom Day, a reception will be hosted by H.E. Ambassador Pule I. Malefane with the participation of representatives from the Turkish Government, members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of the Business Sector, media, fellow Africans in the Diaspora and South Africans living in Turkey.
The South African Embassy Ankara looks forward to celebrating Freedom Day on 27 April 2016. For further enquiries please contact Ms Yagmur Uner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 405 6873.