Call to vote in upcoming elections

With the upcoming 2024 National and Provincial elections around the corner, a member of a Danish choir has encouraged citizens to participate in the polls. South Africans will once again get an opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote on 29 May 2024 as the country holds its seventh democratic elections. 'If you do not vote, your voice will not be heard. Voting is a way to have your voice heard in a democracy. It is importance to participate in a democracy by voting. It is key,' Papaya choir member Lilian Andresen said on Saturday. The choir specialises in singing South African songs in Denmark. Speaking to SAnews during the National Freedom Day celebrations at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Andresen congratulated South Africa for reaching the historic milestone of 30 years of freedom and democracy. 'Coming to the country as it celebrates 30 years of freedom… is very special. In Denmark we have had democracy for a while and you can tend to take it for granted. Therefore, to come here and s ee how much it is appreciated is remarkable,' she said. Hundreds of people gathered at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to celebrate the 30th anniversary of South Africa's democratic dispensation following the country's first democratic elections on 27 April 1994. President Cyril Ramaphosa led the Freedom Day celebrations at the national event under the theme '30 Years of Democracy, Partnership, and Growth.' While acknowledging the challenges faced by many in the country, Andresen said transformation is a journey. 'You still need to fight for your rights. It is a process. You need to keep going and never lose track of where you want to go,' she said. With energy, enthusiasm and musical intensity, Papaya sings everything from wedding songs and Zulu war songs to the story of a South Africa that through generations of time has found courage, strength and community through music. 'We have been a choir since 1986. We come here… meet with other choirs, performing groups and dance groups. We share the culture a nd the music. That is how we learn. 'We then go back to Denmark to share the music and the stories with our Danish audience. The audience is very much moved and touched by it. We love the people, music, culture, the stories and history. It is so rich as the country has had struggles. It is very unique,' she said. Source: South African Government News Agency