Melikhaya Zagagana27 April 2024 | 11:23

Cape Town mayor laments that many people still live in poverty on Freedom Day

Hill-Lewis said as the country celebrates Freedom Day, it's also important to look and reflect on the efforts of those who fought for freedom.

Cape Town mayor laments that many people still live in poverty on Freedom Day

FILE: Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. Picture: Supplied

CAPE TOWN - Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said while the country celebrates Freedom Day on Saturday, many people still lived in poverty.
 
Hill-Lewis said the significance of Freedom Day is to celebrate the country’s Constitution that brought people of all races together.
 
ALSO READ: Improving the lives of Cape Town's poor remains a priority for the city - Hill-Lewis

He was speaking at the Langa 10-kilometre Freedom Run Race event on Saturday morning.
  
Hill-Lewis said as the country celebrates Freedom Day, it's also important to look and reflect on the efforts of those who fought for freedom.
 
“We also know that there are many ways in which, particularly over the last decade, we have moved undeniable backwards, particularly in conditions under which many people live. Poverty has become much worse. There’s really terrible, terrible oppressive poverty in our country.”
 
Meanwhile, the winner of the Saturday's race, Edward Jack, said Freedom Day was all about having fun with others.
 
“This day means to me so much because it’s like Freedom Day gatherings celebrating with other people and having some fun and enjoying it.”
 
As hundreds of athletes enjoy the Freedom Run Race at Langa Township, the mayor of Cape Town said that freedom should have one meaning for everyone and not only enjoyed by a few.