Freedom

The government of the Western Cape has plans to establish a R1-billion halaal agri-processing food park to capitalise on the multitrillion-dollar global halaal market. The park will be a cluster of manufacturing and service firms in the halaal industry.

Sixty years ago the Congress of the People gathered on a dusty field in Kliptown to draft the document that would lead South Africa to liberation. The Freedom Charter is the foundation for South Africa's Constitution and its demands are as relevant now as they were in 1955.

As South Africa commemorates 60 years of the Freedom Charter on 26 June, Brand South Africa calls on all South Africans to play their part in moving our country towards socioeconomic growth and development.

As we move from Human Rights Month in March to Freedom Month in April, we must remember that South Africa's hard-won democracy and the rights it gives us all must be used to fight intolerance and foster a cohesive society, writes Brand South Africa CEO Miller Matola.

Apartheid was only formally legislated by the National Party in 1948, but discrimination had existed in South Africa for hundreds of years before that. This month, the country marks that long walk to freedom.
• Freedom Park: celebrating peace

Swimmer Chad le Clos, HIV researcher Glenda Gray, singer-songwriter Vusi Mahlasela and 92-year-old teacher Nontsikelelo Qelane will be among 33 South Africans and five foreign nationals to receive National Orders, the country's highest civilian honour, on Freedom Day on Saturday.