Independence Day |28 June 2022
Reflections from our youth
As Seychelles prepares to celebrate its 46th Independence Day anniversary tomorrow, June 29, we asked some of our young readers what Independence Day means to them and what are they doing to contribute towards the growth of our Nation. The following are their thoughts and views.
Anny Banane
“When I think of Independence Day, I think of freedom of speech and a time to embrace our unique, diverse cultures and foods. It means being freed from our oppressors and earning our titles as Seychellois.”
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Eltina Dorizo
“National Day is a day that has been dedicated to our country in memory of an event, for example Constitution Day or Independence Day. Most of the time there are national events being done on that day, for example flag raising ceremony and national parade, just to name a few where you can get participation of the mass population as it is a public holiday.”
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Chelsy Ah-Time
“I see Independence Day as the day our country stood on its own. Therefore our Independence Day marks the day of our liberation. It commemorates the annual celebration of nationhood. It’s a time when I hear patriotic music and recollect beautiful moments that make me proud to be a Seychellois.”
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Kurtrine Albert
“For this day, I think it is the moment when we as a nation join to celebrate our independence, which marks the end of British rule and the establishment of a free and independent Indian Ocean nation.”
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Maryam Souyana
“To me, Independence Day is the time when we celebrate our freedom. To be more specific, it is the day that Seychelles got her independence from the British. As a Seychellois, I’m currently studying and later on will start working in the country.”
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Amanie Arnephy
“Independence Day, to me, is a day we, as Seychellois, can celebrate our freedom; a day when we establish our country as our own, free from the reign of external powers. Independence Day marks the day Seychellois join together as a nation to create a future for generations to come. As a Seychellois, my contribution to Seychelles is through attaining higher education to improve the overall standard of living of Seychellois people. I contribute towards the development of my country, which I believe is what Independence Day stands for.”
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Kaëla Eden
“Independence Day is the one day when we remember the journey it took to become the nation we are today, separate from the monarchy that colonised us, allowing us to celebrate our island as an independent nation and the process it took us to get here.
“Our Independence Day reminds us that we’ve faced trials and corruption and colonisation, but still found a way to succeed with our own abilities. My contributions to my island are through my work in radio. Although I work in the private sector, I am constantly working to make sure that, as a country, our nation has access to information and music that helps shape our point of view and opens us up to the outside world. If I manage to reach at least one person and help them throughout their day, then that’s a success for me.”
Compiled by Alicia Bonnelame and Sylia Ah-Time