South Africa 30 years of democracy -Who is free?

Freedom Day in South Africa is a significant public holiday that commemorates the country’s first non-racial democratic elections, held on April 27, 1994. This historic event marked the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era of democracy, human rights and equality. As South Africa prepares to celebrate 30 years of democracy on Freedom Day, April 27, 2025, the questions remain, who is free? Where are the free? 

Thirty years into South Africa’s democracy, this question lingers, casting a shadow over the jubilations that marked the dawn of freedom in 1994. As the nation celebrates Freedom Day, commemorating the country’s transition from apartheid to democracy, one can’t help but wonder: are South Africans truly free? The notion of freedom seems to have become an annual ritual, a façade that masks the harsh realities of socio-economic bondage that still grip millions. The freedom to vote, while fundamental, has not translated to freedom from poverty, inequality, or lack of access to basic services for many. In reality, Freedom Day has become a hollow celebration, a reminder of the distance between the promise of liberation and the reality on the ground.

Government pronounces that this year’s celebrations are centered on the progress made since 1994 in building a united and inclusive nation. The celebrations will also reflect on the collective resilience in safeguarding democratic gains, while critically addressing ongoing challenges. However, the notion of Freedom Day celebrations seems hollow when considering the persistent disparities in the South African society. Despite the progress made, the country remains one of the most unequal in the world, with many communities still trapped in cycles of poverty and deprivation. Thirty years of “Democracy, Partnership and Growth” rings hollow for many South Africans who continue to struggle with poverty, inequality, and injustices. More than 30 years later, democracy is very fitting as an umbrella  principle that masks the visible inequality in South Africa. 

Masked by the shadow and disguise of what is coined a liberated and prosperous nation, the plight of those lacking sustainable and concrete interventions and solutions is loud noise that has no active listeners. A sad reality is that “Freedom” has a currency in South Africa. Freedom is subjective. Freedom is still race bound. Freedom is one of those buzz phrases government throws around from time to time. 

The facts: despite progress in some areas, South Africa remains one of the most unequal societies in the world. According to the World Bank, the country’s Gini coefficient, which measures income inequality, stands at 0.63, one of the highest globally. The socio-economic disparities that defined apartheid-era South Africa persist, with many communities still trapped in cycles of poverty and deprivation. The 2022 report by Stats SA revealed that 55.5% of the population lives below the upper-bound poverty line, which translates to approximately 30 million people. This raises a critical question: what does freedom mean when a significant portion of the population struggles to make ends meet?

To quote an icon, Tata Madiba, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Sadly that may not be true in South Africa. 

Moreover, access to quality education and healthcare, fundamental components of a free society, remains a privilege rather than a right for many South Africans. A 2022 report article highlighted that 75% of South African schools are dysfunctional, perpetuating the cycle of inequality and limiting opportunities for the youth. Similarly, the healthcare system is overburdened, with public hospitals struggling to provide adequate care due to resource constraints. The NHI bill currently being implemented may face similar challenges unless more funding and better management strategies are employed.

The education system, for instance, continues to struggle with providing quality education to all. According to the South African Inclusive Education Policy, the Department of Basic Education acknowledged that 590,000 children with disabilities were out of school in 2015. Even with initiatives like the Policy on Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS), implemented in 2014, the rollout has been slow, with challenges in responding to School-Based Support Teams’ requests for additional support. This raises questions about the effectiveness of such policies in addressing the needs of vulnerable learners.

As it stands, we have a system that produces graduates who exit institutions of higher learning hoping to get gainful employment, contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty in their families and hopefully make an impact in their communities and the country; the government is failing dismally in this regard. 

It Is jaw dropping to read about a graduate who had three qualifications all in critical and scarce skills that the country needs who ended up taking their life after seeking employment for four consecutive years with no luck. Not to racialise the argument, but it was a young Black African who was victim to suicide. Still on the very subject, what do the figures compare like in terms of white and non-white youth and how they access freedom. 

Furthermore, the celebration of Freedom Day seems tone-deaf when considering the lived experiences of many South Africans. For instance, the policy framework for inclusive education emphasizes the importance of removing barriers to learning and participation, yet the implementation remains a significant challenge. This disconnect between policy and reality underscores the need for critical reflection on what freedom truly means in the context of South Africa’s ongoing struggles.

The pulse of lack of opportunities particularly for young people is loud. Especially, young people who are descendants of those who were previously disadvantaged. In townships, it is saddening to see young, capable people have their dreams diminished to the level at which they succumb to drugs and substance abuse and in extreme cases, prostitution, drug trafficking and even suicide. This bleak reality starkly highlights the disconnect between the ideals of Freedom Day and the harsh lived experiences of many South Africans. Thirty years into democracy, the legacy of apartheid continues to cast a long shadow, with systemic inequalities and lack of access to opportunities perpetuating cycles of poverty and despair.

It makes perfect sense to take these commemorative events to the townships. History telIs us why this is important. However, the insult is taking these events to communities who are yet to see the benefits of this freedom. South Africa is unequal. And with inequality comes the lack of constitutionalism and the direct violation of human rights.  Besides the state of youth in South Africa, there are deeply entrenched socio-economic disparities one being the persistent spatial divide which is a legacy from apartheid. Townships and rural areas facing significant development challenges. Arguably, that is restriction to freedom. Take a drive through Sandton, and the disparities are vivid. Sandton and Alexandra township are bold representations of what is so wrong with the entire system. 

The irrelevance of Freedom Day in its current form is further underscored by the issues that plague the country. Corruption, state capture, and lack of accountability have eroded trust in institutions and hindered progress. As Justice Moseneke noted, one of the most significant difficulties facing South Africa is the lack of implementation of the Constitution. Our country has one of the most progressive constitutions, but it is not being implemented in a manner that benefits the majority of South Africans. This sentiment resonates with many who feel that the promise of freedom has been hijacked by self-interest and inefficiency.

With a government riddled by corruption and a self serving agenda, there really is no value to commemorative days and months which the government injects a lot of expenditure into. Black artists die poor. And the hope was that Minister Gayton McKenzie would realign the strategy of his portfolio and give artists a level of freedom they have been fighting for. It is confusing to have his entire department advocating for the expenditure riddled commemorative events when artists in South Africa are still not free. Once again, it is politicians doing window dressing politics. Well done to the government for taking narrative of Freedom Day back to the communities. The masses will gather and listen to those bearing the baton of unfulfilled promises and hopefully, at the end of the spectacle, get a quarter chicken leg, a bun, a soft drink and maybe a branded t-shirt. Because really, what value does it bring poverty stricken communities when government puts up big marquees commemorating these days all the while pushing their political agendas?

The irony, South Africa will celebrate Freedom Day on April 27, 2025, anchored on 30 years into Democracy, Partnership and Growth, marking the conclusion of the year-long celebration of 30 years of freedom and democracy. Adding to the lack of strategic alignment, an entire national event which will cost a lot of money will take place in Mpumalanga Province. Government argues that the purpose of the celebrations is to enhance understanding of the nation’s history and development, reflect on how to advance progress and address challenges, remain vigilant against corruption, build an active citizenry, and promote the rights embodied in the constitution. The government’s argument that the celebrations aim to enhance understanding of the nation’s history, promote progress, and address challenges is nothing short of comical. Communities need more than these fancy thematic. Government needs to channel these expenditures into tangible interventions such as the introduction of community based programmes that bring democracy and constitutionalism to the people. South Africa cannot continue accepting that justice, liberty, equity and freedom have a hefty price tag. 

Freedom is an illusion for most South Africans.  As promised, freedom is not just the absence of physical chains; it is also the presence of economic, social, and political empowerment. By this very definition, many South Africans are not free. The country’s staggering youth unemployment rate of 74.7% (Stats SA, 2022) means that millions of young people are trapped in a cycle of poverty and desperation.

The lack of access to quality education, healthcare, and housing further entrenches inequality and the lack of freedom. According to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), 14% of households in South Africa do not have access to piped water, and 19% do not have access to decent sanitation (SAHRC, 2020). These statistics paint a picture of a country where freedom is a privilege reserved for the few.

In the planned celebrations which are at most, dressed up political spaces, what about the forgotten ones? The elderly, farmers, migrants, and people with disabilities are among the most vulnerable groups in the South African society. They face unique difficulties that are often overlooked in the national conversation about freedom. Farmers and migrants face critical challenges related to land ownership, labor rights, and access to social services. The same for People with disabilities who are also marginalized in the South African society. 

How much is freedom and what does freedom cost? These are not semantics. These are valid arguments to raise. 

Freedom is not free. The construct of South Africa prescribes a price tag to freedom. Often secluding many vulnerable citizens. Apart from the pop up shows coined “commemorations”, our leaders are not having the conversations that need to be had. To attain the utopia of freedom, dismantling racism needs to be top priority. To create a more just and equitable society, South Africa needs to confront its legacy of apartheid and racism. This requires a decolonised approach in policy conceptualization. Colonized leaders can not lead a nation to freedom. At this present juncture, our plight is to be led by leaders who are radical enough to challenge inherited prejudices and stereotypes that perpetuate racism and inequality. Furthermore, a step back and stock take needs to happen assessing the relevance of the current institutions in place. Institutional reform is needed to dismantle institutions and systems that reinforce racism and inequality. Our nation cannot have Social Cohesion as just another buzz or token concept. The people are hungry for practical actions that will guide the implementation of policies and programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy, it is essential to ask, who are the free? Where are the free? The answer is not straightforward. While some South Africans have made significant progress in achieving economic and social freedom, many others remain trapped in a cycle of poverty and inequality. In its current form, Freedom Day has become a hollow celebration, a reminder of the government’s failure to deliver on its promises. Rather than commemorating the past, it’s time to reimagine Freedom Day as a catalyst for change.

The Freedom Day celebrations are a reminder that freedom is not a destination; it is a journey. South Africa still has a long way to go in achieving true freedom for all its citizens. The government must prioritize meaningful engagement with vulnerable groups, invest in targeted interventions to address poverty and inequality, and ensure that the Freedom Day celebrations are inclusive and reflective of the country’s diverse experiences. Only then, can South Africans truly celebrate their freedom.  Freedom Day, while a symbolic celebration of South Africa’s transition to democracy, has lost its significance in the face of persistent socio-economic challenges. True freedom can only be achieved when all citizens have access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Until then, April 27^th will remain a day of reflection, a reminder of the unfinished business of democracy.