Freedom Day on April 27 each year marks a significant date on the South African calendar, as it indicates the fall of apartheid. It was on this day in 1994 that all South Africans exercised their democratic right to vote, the majority for the first time, giving birth to the country's freedom and constitutional democracy.

The South African Embassy in China hosted a reception to celebrate the 23rd Freedom Day of South Africa in Beijing on April 28. Present at the reception were Chinese and African diplomats and representatives from companies, media, academic institutions and non-governmental organizations.

On the same day, South African Embassy also celebrates the centenary of the birth of the late Oliver Reginald Tambo, a politician and revolutionary who was crucial in the anti-apartheid struggle and led the African National Congress from 1967 to 1991. The South African Government has named 2017 as the "Year of Oliver Tambo," with a series of events and campaigns scheduled to take place in South Africa to pay tribute to Tambo.

In further honor of this great stalwart, the South African Embassy hosted its Freedom Day reception under the theme of "O.R. Tambo ... In his Footsteps: Integrity, Passion, Patriotism and Humility."

"The theme is a call to action for South Africans and global citizenry alike to aspire to walk in the footsteps of this great man by espousing these four values that Tambo possessed and thus contributing to a better world for all," said Dolana Msimang, South African Ambassador to China.