![]() ![]() We see it at the robots every day, where more and more people – specifically children – are begging for help, with the stats showing that one in 10 South Africans goes hungry every day. The country is facing worrying unemployment, with the expanded unemployment rate, which takes into account those who have given up searching for work, sitting at 45.5%, which is contributing to deepening our levels of inequality. How then can they and the communities they represent, who live in shacks without access to basic services, claim freedom? The organisation has faced much intimidation for daring to demand access to land and housing and in 2022 four of its leaders were assassinated in cold blood. While legally we may be free, we have to ask how this translates in real life when others do not feel so.įor example, land and housing activist organisation Abahlali baseMjondolo is preparing to hold “ (Un)Freedom Day ”, so named because they are demanding an “end to state repression, assassination of activists, a demand for basic services for the impoverished, land and decent housing for all”. Sadly, freedom and “a better life for all” have not materialised in the way envisioned by Mandela and his first administration, in that many still continue to languish in misery and despair while pessimism and division have re-emerged, threatening to snuff out the promise of freedom. We cannot claim freedom if others do not enjoy this freedom, so we are duty bound to ask what is to be done before pessimism and hopelessness take over? We are one nation.” And with that the country was gripped by euphoria and the promise of “a better life for all”. We sincerely hope that by the mere casting of a vote the results will give hope to all South Africans and make all South Africans realise this is our country. We are starting a new era of hope, reconciliation and nation-building. (Photo: Gallo Images / Sunday Times / Raymond Preston)Īfter casting his vote, Mandela said: “We have moved from an era of pessimism, division, limited opportunities, turmoil and conflict. Voters form long queues during the 27 April 1994 elections.
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