Today is the Freedom Day of South Africa which commemorates the first post-apartheid elections held in 1994. Millions of people participated in the elections which were the first non-racial national elections. This means that everyone of voting age of over 18 from any race group was allowed to vote. Previously, under the apartheid regime, had only limited rights to vote.

Considered a middle-income country, South Africa has one of the most developed infrastructures and stock exchanges in the world. The country is also well endowed with rich natural resources. It has the fifth largest income per capita in Africa.

South Africa has one of the most diverse ethnicities in the world. Almost 80% of its population has a black African ancestry, which is divided into various Bantu speaking groups. The country is also home to the largest communities of Asian, European, and racially mixed ancestry in Africa.

South Africa is a member of various international and regional organizations such as the Africa Union, Commonwealth of Nations, Antarctic Treaty System, Group of 77, South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, Southern African Customs Union, World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, Group of Twenty (G-20), and Group of Eight plus Five (G8+5).

We congratulate the people and government of South Africa led by Their Excellencies, President Jacob Zuma, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Foreign Affairs and International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, and its Embassy in the Philippines headed by H.E., Ambassador Agnes Nyamande-Pitso, on the occasion of its Freedom Day. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY!

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Awareness: Freedom Day of South Africa