(Seychelles News Agency) - Seychelles President James Michel has congratulated the president and people of South Africa as the country celebrates Freedom Day this Sunday, April 27.

Today marks 20 years since the end of apartheid in the African nation giving way to the first free elections which saw the late Nelson Mandela come to power on this same day in 1994.

Mandela who led the country into a new era of freedom built on mutual respect and the value of human dignity and equality remains an inspiration for the African continent and the world.

“Freedom Day is also an occasion for all Africans to rejoice, as the continent moves closer to realizing its dream of a fairer and more democratic Africa as inspired by the late Nelson Mandela,” said Michel in his message to the South African President Jacob Zuma.

Freedom Day is a day that highlights the African nation’s achievement over the last 20 years despite the challenges that remain today.

“We must continue to strive to uphold the principles and ideals which our two countries strongly defend in order for the children of Africa to realize their true and full potential” said the Seychellois head of state.

“Seychelles and South Africa share excellent bilateral relations that continue to deepen, based on a shared determination to work toward the betterment of Africa with a common vision of freedom and equality for their respective people,” he added.

April 27 is a holiday in South Africa and to commemorate Freedom Day there will be street parades, speeches, prayers, music and military salutes and displays.