South Africans turned out in large numbers on April 28 to celebrate Freedom Day, marking the 20th anniversary of post-apartheid democracy in the country. 

Addressing a large colorful crowd in the gardens of the iconic Union Buildings, the seat of government in the capital of Pretoria, President Jacob Zuma said the country had moved closer to the cherished dream of a united non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa. 

Harking back to the racially divided past, Zuma said, "Our freedom was not free. It came about through blood, sweat and tears. That is why we must defend it at all cost. We are succeeding to heal the wounds of our brutal and divided past."

Freedom Day for many brings back memories of the country's first democratic elections on April 27, 1994, ushered in under the reconciliatory presence of Nelson Mandela, who went on to become the country's first fully democratically elected president. 

Freedom Day festivities at the Union Buildings were a festival of color, music, dance, helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft fly overs and a full military parade against the background of a booming 21-gun salute.

South Africans head for the polls on May 7 to vote in general elections for the fifth time since 1994. Despite being the most developed country on the African continent,South Africa's racial successes have been thrust into the background as lack of service delivery, corruption and rampant unemployment plague the nation's future.The elections will be the most hotly contested since independence with minority parties expected to gain from a growing feeling of distrust for the ruling ANC party. However, grassroots loyalty is expected to be enough to return the ANC-led government to power.

(Reporting from Johannesburg)