For generations to come, the image of South African citizens - from all walks of life - standing in long voting queues on 27 April 1994 will always warm the hearts of many.
As the world held its breath, millions of South Africans came together to make their mark that came to change the course of world history.
For South Africa, the elections marked the end of the 342 years of white domination - it marked our rebirth and independence. For Africa, it was the liberation of the continent, while for the world, it was a final rejection of the institutionalised oppression.
Then freedom focused on the right to vote, it meant holding our heads up high to the world that we are a remarkable country. It meant the start of delivering basic social services to millions who were denied before. In 1994 our freedom gave us hope.
This year, 19 years after the new South Africa was born, we celebrate another year of freedom under the theme “Marching Towards 20 years of Freedom and Democracy in South Africa,”- which encourages everyone to join hands to celebrate the achievements that have been made in entrenching democracy and creating a better life for all.
Nineteen years is an important milestone symbolizing adulthood, maturity and responsibility.
Although still under parental guidance, a 19-year-old is now lessening the parents control and responsibility as they approach adulthood. As they script their path in life, the blame from consequences of their actions starts to be individual.
This is the same as our democracy - it’s time for it to mature and take responsibility as it prepares to entre adulthood.
For many South Africans, the bitter smell of apartheid lingers on.
Yes the fallouts of the apartheid system have been overcome but its legacy remains in many forms such as poverty, massive inequality, unemployment, disease and general underdevelopment.
As a country we need to reflect on where we have been but also where we are going. We need to reflect on the process made in rolling out government programmes designed to address the fallouts of the apartheid system.
From 1994, government has made a lot of progress as it continues with the mission of building a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa.
Many more South Africans now have water, electricity, sanitation and housing, for first time in their lives.
Despite challenges our education system continues its upward trend. More learners are being enrolled and matric results since 2009 have increased dramatically.
Several programmes such as the Annual National Assessments – which measure the literacy and numeracy levels will help government diagnose things that need to change in the basic education sector in order to produce better results.
The tide is turning in the fight against HIV and AIDS, the drop in mother-to-child transmission, a total of 1.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS are receiving anti-retroviral treatment- for free. Government continues to introduce innovative ways such as the recently launched revolutionary one a day anti-retroviral treatment.
The country’s economy is also promising and the country has taken its rightful place in the family of nations- visible is our benchmarking against other emerging economies such the BRICS and IBSA.
The country is spending billions in building and improving rails, energy, broadband and roads across the country. Our tourism continues to grow as well as our manufacturing and automotive and ICT sectors which remain globally competitive.
The fight against unemployment and joblessness continues to show promise. Employment grew by 327 000 or 2, 5 per cent by the last quarter of 2012 and since the first quarter of 2011, employment has grown for seven consecutive quarters.
Turn-around times have also improved in some areas of service delivery, while on crime we have also begun to turn the tide against crime, overall levels of serious crime are on the wane.
Looking ahead, government has come up with a 30 year plan: the National Development Plan (NDP) which outlines the vision of dealing with the challenges that the country is facing such as inequality and social justice, among others.
The NDP aims to ensure that all South Africans attain a decent standard of living through the elimination of poverty and reduction of inequality by 2030. The core elements of a decent standard of living identified in the plan include housing, water, skills development and quality education.
Despite these significant progresses, there are many more challenges like inequality, poverty, economic climate, the high food and oil prices.
These challenges are an affirmation of former President Nelson Mandela’s words when he said there is no easy way to freedom.
“We understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom. We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success. We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world,” Nelson Mandela said in his inaugural speech.
This year, as we celebrate Freedom Day, we can try to mirror the excitement many South Africans felt on April 27 in 1994. This year we also need to reflect on how we as South Africans can better ourselves as a nation..
Perhaps we can use our Constitution, which is among the most liberal in the world - as a set of defining aims, aspirations, values and guidelines.
The Constitution provides us with practical guidelines on social cohesion and on how we ought to be treating fellow countrymen.
I believe we need to look much further than the preamble which encapsulates four key themes which are: healing the divisions of the past, establishing an open society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights, improving the quality of life of all citizens and building a united and democratic South Africa.
Our Constitution is the best guideline because it is our roadmap, peace treaty, social conscience and an agreement to a once divided nation to build on Ubuntu. It is both our birth and marriage certificate and if we are not careful, it could be our death certificate.
I say this because many of us, across all racial groups- have not taken to heart what the Constitution demands from each of us- personally rather than fellow South Africans or government.
Like a 19-year-old- we need to take responsibility of our actions and ask ourselves if our coexistence as a new democracy has manifested the notions declared in this document and if we have given meaning to these declarations over the past 19 years.
As South Africans – not only the political parties or interest groups, or certain class or culture- collectively- we need to mature and build a united and democratic South Africa based on compassion, true understanding and mutual respect.
When we as South Africans- whether black, white, coloured, Indian- united in our diverse views living up to the values outlined in the Constitution-we can reap the fruits of our democracy and freedom .
As we are marching towards 20 years of freedom and democracy, we can build the ideal society, where problems can be resolved peacefully without tragic outbreak.
I believe it is never too late to build a society in which women and children feel free and safe with no fear of rape or form of violence. It is possible to achieve a society where youth have equal opportunities, where all people have decent basic services, sustainable jobs and world class health care.
United, we can still have a society with an education system that enables the development of skills, an HIV free generation. A society in which our animals, like the rhino, are safe from poachers.
However alone, government cannot build that type of society. It needs us to be active citizens.
As South Africans, one of our strengths is our ability to come together. Now is that time to use that trait so that we can find solutions to our problems and challenges.
It is often said that South Africa is a country of passionate people; passionate dancers, fighters, lovers, fans and eaters. We have a pulse, a vibe.
This Freedom Month, it is time we rekindle that passion and like 19-year-old, take responsibility and script our life path as a country.
Let us remind ourselves and the world what is it to be passionate, to be united and to be hopeful. United, nothing can stop us. I have hope for this dynamic country of ours.–SAnews.gov.za
