Apr 27, 2022
South Africa Freedom Day 2022
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Today’s Doodle celebrates South Africa’s Freedom Day, a commemoration of the country’s first democratic elections held on this day in 1994.
The elections established a new democratic government and ended more than 300 years of segregation and colonial rule. Between 1948 and 1994, South Africans lived under apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation that promoted political and economic discrimination against non-whites. Today’s Doodle artwork features a democratic ballot box surrounded by South Africa’s national flower, proteas—paying homage to the 1994 elections and the first time the majority of South Africans could vote.
Today we celebrate South Africa’s democracy and reflect on the hard decades it took to get there. Many families recognize the day by having a braai (barbecue) or visiting places that honor the fight for democracy. A landmark destination is Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held as a political prisoner for many years. There are often local parades and street parties throughout the country.
Happy Freedom Day, South Africa.
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