23 April 2004

"Vote" is the name of one of 45 Mpumalanga children who will celebrate a special double 10th birthday on 27 April - their own, and that of the free South Africa they were born into.

The Mpumalanga government has invited the 45 "born-frees" to a special function on Freedom Day, where the 10-year-olds will enjoy slices of specially made Freedom Cake, and release doves to mark their wish for lasting peace in the country.

The children were "born into freedom", said Sammy Mpatlanyane, spokesman for the provincial department of sport, recreation, arts and culture. "They did not experience any suffering their parents may have gone through in the past."

The children were drawn from each of the three main regions of Mpumalanga - Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande and eKangala.

A music festival featuring Stimela, Jabu Hlongwane and Sipho Makhabane will also be held at the Lowveld Showgrounds in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga on Tuesday to celebrate Freedom Day.

Another "born-free", Tlotlego Tsagae, is the star of a television advertising campaign launched recently by the International Marketing Council of South Africa (IMC) that encourages South Africans to "become part of the rhythm of our nation" - literally: by drumming to the same beat.

Tlotlego, says IMC CEO Yvonne Johnston, "is our future - she represents South Africa, 10 years into freedom. Her orchestra is the nation, aligned and unified, joined together, drumming the same rhythm."

• View the TV ad, listen to the radio ads, learn the beat in animation

	Tlotlego Tsagae, born on 27 April 1994, is the star of an IMC television campaign encouraging South Africans to become part of the rhythm of the nation

	Get set for SA's biggest party

10 Years of Freedom: South Africa 1994-2004 Looking back on 10 years of freedom. Looking forward to a South Africa Alive with Possibility.