FREEDOM Daycelebrations at the Union Buildings in Pretoria at the weekend highlighted a nation still divided over a common definition of what freedom is post-1994.
A sense of fear and insecurity seemed to trouble 68-year-old Idah Mojakisane and 74-year-old Maria Kekana.
They said they were victims of police brutality under apartheid - a time they said was still very vivid in their minds. Although black people are free, women still suffer, they said.
"We can't even walk the streets without having a sense of fear. We feel unsafe because of this growing trend of young men raping their elders," said Kekana, as Mojakisane nodded in agreement.
A decision by the government to give qualifying offenders parole irked the women. They want the whole system to be reviewed, and the implementation of stricter bail conditions.
Some who came to listen to President Jacob Zuma speak expressed their gratitude to those who had fought to ensure that black people enjoyed equal opportunities.
Mojakisane and Kekana said there was a lot to enjoy post-1994, like government grants for them and their grandchildren.
There was a worrying absence of other racial groups that form part of the country, which has christened itself the rainbow nation.
Pat Sifundza, who travelled with two friends from Mpumalanga, pointed to a worrying trend of how the crowd was predominantly black each year.
He said it was worrying that a majority of whites did not identify with the significance of this day - which should re-unite people, and promote and strengthen social cohesion.
Celebration shows a nation still divided
FREEDOM Daycelebrations at the Union Buildings in Pretoria at the weekend highlighted a nation still divided over a common definition of what freedom is post-1994.
A sense of fear and insecurity seemed to trouble 68-year-old Idah Mojakisane and 74-year-old Maria Kekana.
They said they were victims of police brutality under apartheid - a time they said was still very vivid in their minds. Although black people are free, women still suffer, they said.
"We can't even walk the streets without having a sense of fear. We feel unsafe because of this growing trend of young men raping their elders," said Kekana, as Mojakisane nodded in agreement.
A decision by the government to give qualifying offenders parole irked the women. They want the whole system to be reviewed, and the implementation of stricter bail conditions.
Some who came to listen to President Jacob Zuma speak expressed their gratitude to those who had fought to ensure that black people enjoyed equal opportunities.
Mojakisane and Kekana said there was a lot to enjoy post-1994, like government grants for them and their grandchildren.
There was a worrying absence of other racial groups that form part of the country, which has christened itself the rainbow nation.
Pat Sifundza, who travelled with two friends from Mpumalanga, pointed to a worrying trend of how the crowd was predominantly black each year.
He said it was worrying that a majority of whites did not identify with the significance of this day - which should re-unite people, and promote and strengthen social cohesion.
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