Freedom Day reflection -27 April 1994

Thirty years ago today, I remember working at a voting station as an electoral officer for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). The joy I felt was palpable. It marked a time of promise for our young democracy, a moment when my grandparents' dreams were realised. Finally, we could vote in a democratic setting, something they were deprived of all their lives.

Since then, much has changed—some for the better, some for the worse. What remains is our democracy, still in its infancy, with much work ahead. Looking back at my hometown, Mariannridge, we now have a larger community clinic, but service delivery remains inadequate. Economic inequality, crime, and food insecurity persist among our people. The challenges are complex, with poverty, inequality, and unemployment worse off since 1994.

Yet, amidst these difficulties, I find hope in the youth. I am blessed to experience this hope weekly. More black youth are entering tertiary spaces. Seeing our students physically present and freely using their vernacular to communicate with each other and sometimes with me in these academic spaces fills me with pride. Despite living in an imperfect world, I can't help but acknowledge how far we've come. South African youth are making their mark globally. I pick out music as an example. The rise of the music genre 'Amapiano,' which has gained international acclaim. If you want to know, ask a teen. With a song comes a dance. Please do not ask them about the 'Tswhala Bami' dance. They may respond with laughter, indicating that you are ‘behind the times’. Now, it's the 'Mkhuku dance', and you have a limited time to learn it because the next hit is already in the making. This new cultural currency is felt far and wide beyond our borders.

Reflecting on our journey, it's clear that while progress has been made, challenges still exist. Let's use this reflection as a call to action. As individuals, communities, and a nation, we must actively work towards addressing inequality, improving service delivery, and creating opportunities for all. Let's draw on the collective energy and optimism of our youth to drive positive change and build a more equitable and prosperous future for generations to come. We all are capable of contributing positively to our infant democracy.

To end, I leave you with this quote by former Archbishop Desmond Tutu: "My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together."