South Africa is celebrating Freedom Month in April. The month is used to reflect on how far the country has come since the attainment of democracy with 27 April marked to remember the first democratic elections in 1994.
South Africans also use this month to reflect on the challenges that the country faces. This year the month is celebrated under the theme; “The year of the unity and renewal: Consolidating our constitutional democratic gains.”
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa launched Freedom Month earlier in April.
“As we mark 28 years since the dawn of democracy in 1994, fast approaching the three-decade milestone for the nation’s constitutional democracy, a review of trajectory showcasing how we are consolidating our democratic gains merits reflecting upon. Inherent, therefore in Freedom Month 2022’s theme is our conviction that besides the many challenges that have threatened to stymie this important constitutional democratic project, there are gains that we ought to safeguard, “ said Mthethwa.
Fight against coronavirus
This year, the month is celebrated as the country continues to fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
“So, as we honour the symbolism behind the celebration of our freedom as a country – we reflect as enshrined in the preamble of our constitution which commits the government to improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person. It is for this reason that as we reflect on the most devastating effects on lives and livelihoods, caused by the COVID pandemic – we acknowledge that our freedom was indeed restrained and our wings clipped,” said Mthethwa.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s speech at the launch of Freedom Month:
While the virus has left devastating effects on the lives of South Africans, the country has been commended for its approach in the fight against the virus.
“In many ways, South Africa reached out to the WHO not through weakness but through strength, in recognising that it had a complex outbreak on its hands and not that it needed the help of the WHO but what it wanted to do was to work with WHO to identify to identify ways in which things could be done better,” said Executive Director of the World Health Organisation Dr. Michael Ryan as the country was recording a higher rate of infections in 2020.
“South Africa is doing its best. We know that it is very complicated but it is doing its best and we are very glad to partner and send our colleagues there to work with and it is an honour for us to support any country. With the current trend, we hope to push it to a decline and further control, the pandemic. But I’d like to use this opportunity to thank President Ramaphosa, not only in South Africa but in the whole continent,” said Director-General of the World Health Organisation Tedros Ghebreyesus.
WHO briefing on South Africa’s response to the coronavirus pandemic:
However, the good work that was done was marred by the Personal Protective Equipment and food parcels corruption scandals that emerged. Among those implicated were top government officials including Presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko, her husband, Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku, and his wife, Loyiso.
The Minister of Health was also accused of conflict of interest regarding a R150 million tender that his department awarded to communications company Digital Vibes. The Minister eventually resigned from his position.
As the country approaches the winter season experts have predicted a fifth wave of the virus and have advised South Africans to continue adhering to the regulations.
Other challenges the country is facing
Freedom Month also comes at a time when the country is still battling unemployment, inequality, and poverty. Statistics South Africa announced in March that the country’s unemployment rate increased from 34.9% to 35.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021.
The number of unemployed people increased by 270 000 to 7.9 million in the same period.
A World Bank report in March identified South Africa as the most unequal country in the world. The country ranked first among 164 countries.
The country continues to battle a high rate of crime with the third quarter of the 2021/2022 financial year crime statistics showing an 8.9% increase in murder and a 3.5% increase in attempted murder when compared to the previous year.
Minister Bheki Cele releases the latest crime statistics:
Highlights since 1994
While the country continues to battle different challenges, things have not all been gloomy. South Africa continues to be a tourism destination for some and has for years hosted some international sporting events. Among them is the unforgettable 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Other events that the country has hosted include;
- IRB Rugby World Cup -1995
- Africa Cup of Nations –1996
- Cricket World Cup -2003
- CC World T20 -2007
