SA celebrates charter anniversary

By Nick Miles
BBC News, Johannesburg

Leaders of the anti-apartheid struggle attended the ceremonies

Celebrations have been taking place across South Africa to mark the 50th anniversary of the drawing up of the country's Freedom Charter.

Fifty years ago, as apartheid legislation was coming into force, a range of political groups from all races gathered south of Johannesburg.

There, they set out their vision for a democratic South Africa.

But some have criticised the events, saying the money could have been spent on improving poor people's conditions.

Thousands of people danced to live music and waved South African flags on the spot where the charter came into being.

They came from all over the country - politicians, ordinary citizens, the young and the old.

They came to remember a document that motivated generations of anti-apartheid activists.

"South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white", says the charter.

"All national groups shall have equal rights."

Criticism

And as he addressed the crowd, President Thabo Mbeki paid tribute to the people behind the manifesto.

"All of us are very pleased and greatly inspired that today we have among us some of the patriots who mobilised the people to contribute to the drafting of the Freedom Charter," Mr Mbeki said.

"To these veteran volunteers, we say thank you for everything you did which gave us the founding document of our democratic order."

Mr Mbeki went on to say he recognised the role government had in making sure all South Africans were able to make the most of the freedoms the charter envisaged.

There was loyal support from the crowd but several political parties, including the Democratic Alliance, boycotted the whole event.

They said the money spent commemorating the past should have been put towards improving living conditions for people in the country's slums.