Pretoria: Government has extended the “Building the Legacy” exhibition at the Tshwane Events Centre in Pretoria until the 16 February due to an increased demand.

The exhibition, which is part of the “20 years of Freedom” campaign, opened in Tshwane on the 31 January 2014. Visitors are welcome from 9am to 5pm daily.

Acting GCIS CEO Phumla Williams said the exhibition, which charts a journey of injustice, despair leading to freedom and hope, is unique in that it offers the general public an interactive view of the last 100 years of South African history.

“Sol Plaatjie’s famous quote ‘Awaking on Friday morning, June 20, 1913, the South African native found himself, not actually a slave, but a pariah in the land of his birth,’ – not only explains the pain felt by many South Africans, but also now shows us that we are no longer slaves, but part of a citizenry that enjoy the fruits of exercising democratic rights.

“Every person who experiences the exhibition is drawn into the fantasy-world of history as the actors and performers bring to life the pain we endured as a nation and the freedom we celebrate today,” said Williams.

The exhibition on Building the Legacy is currently on a nationwide tour and provides exposure to the general public on the last 100 years of South African history since 1913 and charts the history through Apartheid and through the transition into a democratic South Africa.

Williams also noted that this is an appropriate time for South Africans, especially the youth to get an understanding and reflect on the challenges faced by their forefathers and to also realise the great strides made since the birth of the new democratic South Africa in 1994.

“As we celebrate 20 Years Of Freedom this year, let us reflect on our past experiences during the struggle and appreciate where we are today as a nation, and continue to work together with government to address any challenges that still exist.

“Compared to before 1994, we can now proudly proclaim that millions of people now have water, electricity, sanitation and housing. By our own standards, we declare that this is not good enough; that we must not rest until all the people can claim a better life,” Williams noted.

The release of the Census 2011 figures shows a definitive picture of a country that is rapidly changing. They paint the picture of a country that has increased income levels, an improvement in the roll-out of basic services and amenities, and increased levels of education.