There was a hive of activity across the country as South Africans celebrated Freedom Day. The ANC in the Western Cape says South Africans do not enjoy economic freedom despite political liberation 18 years ago.
The party’s deputy provincial chairperson, Abe Bekeer, addressed a Freedom Day rally at St. Helena Bay on the Cape West Coast.
“We don’t have economic freedom, that’s the crux of the matter. Our people are impoverished, a lot of people are unemployed, so something needs to be done in terms of the economy of this country, so that the the poor can also feel that they share the wealth of this country and that’s where the freedom charter comes in. We are striving to make the freedom charter a living document,” says Bekeer.
The Oudtshoorn municipality in the Little Karoo says it will spend R200 million over the next five years on new projects to uplift poor communities. The announcement was made at Freedom Day celebrations at Riemvasmaak.
Waters Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa says communities need to work with authorities to improve services. “My message across was that people need to appreciate this freedom – number one, that we fought so hard for and – number two, work it together. Collectively and as individuals, we can make a difference. Each and every one of us must then say I am taking a step forward and next year I want to see a difference and collectively with us those who are in government we also need to do more,” says Molewa.
The area is home to around 5 000 shack dwellers who live without water or electricity.
In KwaZulu-Natal, Premier Zweli Mkhize has called for unity in the province. “This freedom needs to be part of our daily lives. It must live within our own hearts – it must live within our own spirits as part of our culture and tradition,” he says.
Premier Cassel Mathale has called for an end to in-fighting within the ruling party
Meanwhile in the Free State, Premier Ace Magashule says unemployment and poverty are phenomenal problems worldwide. He says government has achieved much since the advent of democratic rule 18 years ago. But conceded that much still has to be done to bring about a better life for all.
“All South Africans have rights to vote today. All South Africans have access to education, to justice. We are striving for prosperous South Africa. So indeed, we have a reason today because a lot of people have equal rights today,” he says.
Magashule says the provincial government has done its utmost to address most of the socio-economic challenges facing the country. But he has acknowledged that poverty and unemployment remain critical challenges.
Song and dance also marked Limpopo celebrations. Premier Cassel Mathale has called for an end to in-fighting within the ruling party.Mathale says leaders must implement the Freedom Charter to address poverty and unemployment.
“The freedom charter says the mineral resources shall be handed over to the people in general. We must implement the freedom charter without failure so that when we celebrate freedom it must have meaning. Freedom and unemployment don’t go together. Let’s fight against poverty and under development and ignorance and stop fighting over petty issues that have nothing to do with the national democratic revolution,” he says.
In the Northern Cape, Premier Grizelda Cjiekella has used the Freedom celebrations in Postmansburg to reinforce government’s commitment towards human rights and service delivery. Cjiekella says since its inception in 1994, the ANC-led government has increased access to running water from 62% to 94.5%, access to decent sanitation from 50% to 82% as well as access to electricity from 51% to 75.8%.
She has acknowledged that government is battling against unemployment, inequality and poverty.
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