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 But tomorrow should be the day on which we celebrate the birth of political civilisation that should give us ammunition to fight these tough challenges 

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• What freedom means to me

Maybe. But, it is time we took stock and reflected on what has been achieved and what remains ahead as we move towards the second decade of freedom.

Many South Africans are guilty of committing a grave error: being so engulfed in today's problems that they forget the achievements of the past two decades.

Yes, we have corruption that threatens our constitutional order, and thus our freedoms.

Yes, we have crime that is tearing apart the social fabric.

Yes, we have HIV/Aids that is decimating the population.

Yes, we have an unemployment rate that is threatening the country's stability.

Yes, we don't always have the best political leaders and bureaucrats.

But tomorrow should be the day on which we celebrate the birth of political civilisation that should give us ammunition to fight these tough challenges.

On April 27 1994 many South Africans stood in long queues to exercise their right to vote. It was phenomenal. More so because the majority of citizens rejected the party of apartheid There were many doomsayers. Some, particularly racists, said in not so many words that left to their own devices black people could not run a modern political system. It was as if apartheid was a modern system.

Once it became clear black people were good architects of the modern political system, and could actually run it without calamity, the goalpost shifted. The new accusation was that black people would not run a modern capitalist system.

Not only did the ANC government pursue relatively sound economic policies against a backdrop of the bankrupt fiscus left by the National Party, but it also managed to convince many communists to dump dangerous economics.

Yet, political freedom has not reached everyone. As some argue, one cannot eat the vote.

An impoverished person is unlikely to appreciate the freedoms he enjoys. Immediate material needs - justifiable as they are - often blind us to the fact that we have a political order whose survival depends on all citizens.

It's a pity some people need convincing to vote. We take such a right for granted at our peril. We all have a duty to defend it by holding the democratically elected government and ourselves to account, and by doing everything we can to make our country a better place.

Happy Freedom Day!

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Sat May 18 14:32:52 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 26, 2012

RobinH

WHAT FREEDOM? FOR WHOM?
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Apr 26, 2012

MuAfro

There is no freedom here, the only thing that took place is that a black man is in charge but the masses have not experienced any freedom.

We still suffering and the black goverment is all about themselves up there. Atleast we knew what was coming our way with the past regime but this ones, the cuurent regime, takes you by suprise when you expect the opposite.

NOT YET UHURU.
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Apr 26, 2012

swona

for 18yrs, the comrades are busy abusing their office, one thug after another, they dont care about the poor! good luck to them!
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Apr 26, 2012

MommaC

I think the changes have been made by the people of SA more than by the government. Our tolerance for each other has grown and our tolerance for government ineptitude has decreased. That is what will bring us further up the ladder of freeedom.

Wouldn't it be lovely if we could re-capture that feeling we had 18 years ago?
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Apr 26, 2012

MuAfro

Our leaders, once they get into the office they forget about the objective of being there and they start looting.

Our political leaders think that we owe them and we need to pay our dues. Instead of social advancement, it is personal advancement.
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Apr 26, 2012

Skomoro99

I think we were better of in apartheid coz we knew that white people did not like us n they showed that but now we r suffering under black leadership who r mainly interested in our pockets.we were not paying for water in rural areas n never ran out.crime is high,cost of leavin is high,e-toll,petrol hike n zuma's wives also going high.
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Apr 26, 2012

CheeseBoy

to most people the fact that one can p!ss in the same toilet or live in the same neighbourhood is freedom. to some of us it means nothing when those who were poor are poorer. those who where rich are now richer.
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Apr 26, 2012

Skomoro99

@ CheeseBoy

to most people the fact that one can p!ss in the same toilet or live in the same neighbourhood is freedom. to some of us it means nothing when those who were poor are poorer. those who where rich are now richer.
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True dat baba,people who died 4 the so cald Freedom just wasted their lives fightin 4 nothin.Mandela spent 27 yrs in jail for wat exactly?
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Apr 26, 2012

oldlady2

Well said Cheeseboy.
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Apr 26, 2012

Ingxabano

Freedom has to be based upon and in accordance with the Ten Commandments. Adherence to God’s perfect Law of Liberty, the Ten Commandments would ensure true religious freedom - freedom to worship and serve the only true God, the Creator and sovereign Lord of the universe - the only source of freedom. And it would protect worship, speech, time, families, life, love, morality, property, truth, reputation and conscience. "The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple." Psalm 19:7

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