By Malcom Hlongwane |
Residents of Ward 26 in South Beach marked Freedom Day with a powerful message of wellness, turning celebrations into a campaign for healthier living.On 27 April 2026, the Freedom Day commemoration took the form of a vibrant soccer and netball tournament at Hoy Park.
Organised by South Beach Youngsters NPO under the leadership of community activist Chwaita Songca, the event encouraged residents to pursue freedom from disease through active lifestyles.Women, men, youth and the elderly all took part, transforming the day into a lively display of unity and inclusion.
Songca praised the support from eThekwini Municipality Department of Parks and Recreation, as well as stakeholders including the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts, Culture and Sport, Independent Electoral Commission, Durban Solid Waste, the Department of Social Development and the Netball Federation.The initiative comes after months of tension in the area, including disputes involving Addington Primary School and unrest near Addington Hospital.
Despite this backdrop, the tournament fostered social cohesion. One elderly participant remarked, “Now I am free from my arthritis,” capturing the spirit of a Freedom Day that prioritised both health and harmony.
