April 27 2023, marks 29 years since the first democratic elections took place. In 1994, all South Africans over 18 got the right to vote. Its viewed as a momentous moment and the birth of the "Rainbow Nation".
The first non-racial elections were the result of years of struggle and a negotiated settlement that resulted in the liberation organizations being unbanned, political prisoners released, exiles returning, and formal all-party negotiations drafting an interim constitution. However, many years later, this moment has disintegrated.
As South Africa commemorates 29 years since the country's first democratic elections, numerous residents question whether it is a day to celebrate, as many do not feel free. People in South Africa have asked whether Freedom Day is still significant nearly three decades later.
Mo Media spoke with people in the streets of Mahikeng. Many of them said that there was not much to celebrate on Freedom Day because of the high unemployment rate, especially among young people.
Otshepeng Modise (22), a degree in Psychology
"As a young woman, Freedom Day has little meaning in my life. Since this chain freedom was slightly lighter and had more space, it honestly feels like we removed one chain and were chained to another. Freedom Day was a day of great reverence when I was younger. Because it was the day that black people in this country were freed, it was a day that should have been celebrated. They were no longer constrained and could do whatever they wanted. As I grew up and realized that although I may be free, my gender and socioeconomic status still confine me, this narrative gradually faded from my consciousness. I see this as unimaginably baffling; however, on the off chance that I reflect, we have vanquished worse persecution which implies that this can be vanquished as well," she said.
Pako Montse (22), a degree in Political Sciences
"Freedom day has become a misguided pedigree amongst the young population as they are at the disadvantaging hand of the promise of 'Freedom'. Today in our democratic dispensation, the only practice but proven less effective, the only resort of which the youth can establish remedial action for their frustration with the government is through protest and demonstrations through fee strikes and academic exclusions, mainly in the education sector. Instead of policy revision and accommodative policy implementation, police brutality as a solution by the government tends to threaten the masses' personal freedoms.
"Freedom in this country proves to be in paper. However, most freedoms are exaggerated as we are still in chains of colonial and apartheid legacies. For instance, the Freedom promised in the constitution, which provides that 'the land belongs to all who live in it', is a complete 'facade' as whites and Indians own a significant amount of the black native land. Therefore, the principles of which Freedom Day should be celebrated in irrelevant in 2023. We should be celebrating 'Freedom to equality', but the inequalities of our economic sector will always remind black South Africans of their previous inferiority status. We should be celebrating 'Freedom of speech, Freedom of expression', but the recent litigation against the EFF shows that those Freedoms of expression and speech are threatened so long as the black chants. The unemployment rate of blacks (majority) are far greater than their white counterparts (minority)."
"As the youth of this country, we have become so frustrated with the government that numerous young have no expectations for the country since they don't secure positions regardless of whether they are qualified. Therefore, Freedom is not the condition of being free from past injustices but rather the Freedom to choose our dictators," said Montse.
Keorapetse Mokwena (22), a degree in Law with Political Sciences
"Freedom Day means the commemoration of a new dawn, a breaking of racial shackles and segregation; we pay homage to the heroes and heroines whose blood and sweat gave birth to the "freedom" we have today. However, I still believe that Freedom is nothing but a fallacy, for as long as the majority of South Africans still live below the poverty line, as long as people with albinism are still being killed, as long as Gender-based Violence and femicide are still thriving in our country, members of the LGBTQIA+ community still ostracised and discriminated against, then Freedom is not free. Thus Freedom Day is a fallacy which should not be adopted and celebrated until Freedom becomes a reality for all," said Mokwena.
Zakes Sithole (22) is a Corporate Communication student from North-West University.
"As the 2000s, freedom day means learning, knowing the country's history and appreciating what we have. It also shows the need for us as the new generation to build on the foundation our freedom fighters have already laid down," said Sithole.
Some of the youth Mo Media spoke to said this was just another public holiday.
"When you say free, what are we free from? What is Freedom? Freedom in exchange for what? Nothing is for free. If we're free, what did we exchange it with?" one young man asked.
