Happy National Day
President Halimah in her final National Day message
This year, as the National Day Parade is celebrated at the Padang again, Madam Halimah said Singaporeans have defied the odds and created "an exceptional Singapore" over the past 58 years.
"Our forefathers standing at the first NDP at the Padang never knew what would become of Singapore, but they had strong faith and conviction and trusted Singaporeans to stand behind them. "To move 'Onwards as One', we will need the same tenacity, conviction, and support to build a better future for our children and grandchildren."
Madam Halimah said it had been a "great privilege" to have served as President for six years. "I’m particularly grateful to Singaporeans for supporting the many causes that we had championed together, uniting in our efforts to build a more compassionate and caring society." In May, Mdm Halimah announced that she would not be running for a second term in the upcoming Presidential Election. Her term ends on Sep 13.
National Day celebrations in the heartlands as Singapore turns 58
Among the activities lined up at five heartland sites over the weekend of Aug 5 and Aug 6 are sports try-outs, exhibitions, performances and activities for families
More Singaporeans will be able to participate in this year’s National Day celebrations as the country marks its 58th year of independence, with a series of events and community activities at five heartland locations during the weekend of Aug 5 and Aug 6.
This year’s heartland celebrations will feature a line-up of programmes, including sport try-outs and live performances, said the organisers in a news release on Tuesday (Jul 11). They will be held at the ActiveSG Bedok Sport Centre, ActiveSG Jurong West Sport Centre, ActiveSG Toa Payoh Sport Centre, ActiveSG Woodlands Sport Centre and Our Tampines Hub. The sites will host the festivals from 4pm to 9pm on both days, except Our Tampines Hub, where it will take place only on Aug 6.
Chairman of the NDP 2023 Heartland Celebrations Committee, Colonel Teng Shin Fong said: “This year’s heartland celebrations, the ‘GetActive! Singapore Heartland Festivals’, will feature an exciting line-up of programmes for Singaporeans to come together as a community to celebrate another year of our nation’s independence." The activities, organised in partnership with Sport Singapore, include:
- Sport tryouts: Athletics, basketball, floorball, football, hockey, table tennis and tennis
- Experiential activities: Archery, skateboarding, roller skating, Nerf, Zorb ball
- Kampung games: Life-sized fun for the young and young at heart
- Family fun activities: Bouncy castles, community mural painting, snack booths
- Live stage performances
- Fringe activities
