February 11 will mark the 27th anniversary of former President Nelson Mandela’s historic release from the then Victor Verster Prison (now Drakenstein Correctional Centre) and his internationally acclaimed and revered “walk to freedom” after 27 years in prison.
This year’s event takes place on the date that Madiba walked from prison as a free person.
Febraury 11 is significant because it represents 27 years on either side of the prison bars for Madiba – 27 years in jail and 27 years since his release.
Against this background a series of activities will take place, from Saturday February 4 to Sunday February 12.
Unless indicated otherwise, all evenets take place in the Drakenstein management area, at theDrakenstein Correctional Centre on the R301 between Paarl and Franschhoek.
With the exception of the 27 for Freedom Race on Saturday February 11, entry to all events is free.
Event 1: 27 for Freedom rugby 7s competition – Saturday February 4. A three-legged competition comprising 16 primay-, and high-school teams, and senior teams from the Boland and Western Province rugby federations. From 8am to 6pm.
Event 2: 27 for Freedom chess tournament – Saturday February 4 and Saturday February 11, from 8am to 5.30pm. Competitors will play off against each other in 27-minute a side rapid chess games on Saturday February 4, and on Saturday February 11 the winners will play Chess-in-the-Park demonsatration games against the Western Cape Chess Olympians.
Event 3: 27 for Freedom arts exhibition and open-mic poetry and essay sessions – Monday February 6 to Thursday February 9, from 8am to 5.30pm. Children from surrounding communities, and young offenders, will be able attend a series of creative workshops.
Event 4: 27 for Freedom memorial lecture – Thursday February 9, from 7pm to 9 pm. A contempraory of Madiba will deliver the lecture, which will be followed by a panel discussion. This event is by invitation only.
Event 5: 8th edition of the 27 for Freedom Race – Saturday February 11. Entry fees : R27km, R108.30; 10km, R68.40; 5km, R34.20. Visit http://27ff.topevents.co.za/ to enter, or any major sporting goods outlet. The road races will be followed by a music festival, featuring among others, the Rockets and Simply Smooth.
Event 6: 27 for Freedom inter-denominational gospel afternoon – Sunday February 12 from 3pm to 5pm, featuring community choirs, choristers, soloists and offenders.
