Freedom Day

 

Annually in South Africa Freedom Day is commemorated on the 27^th of April. It is a celebration of the first democratic elections held in South Africa on 27 April 1994. They were the first post-apartheid national elections held where everyone could vote regardless of their race. It was a day of hope and gratitude for many South Africans who had never voted before. It was a day of transformation for the country at large, democracy was on the horizon. But the question remains, how far have we really come and have we really run with the baton those who fought tirelessly to overcome the brutal apartheid system gave to us?       

Apartheid was legalised in South Africa in 1948, however oppression was not new because colonialism had already plagued the country. Under the National Parties racist apartheid rule, indigenous South Africans were legally denied the right to vote and did not have a say in the political governing of the country. I am sure many of us have heard, read or watched what the apartheid government was about and I do not wish to recall all of that in this piece.

I want this piece to help us honour those who fought for our country’s liberation. The political leaders, teachers, students, our family members and everyday people who lost their lives fighting for a democratic South Africa. It is no secret that freedom has been tainted, from corrupt political leaders, looting of funds, fake vaccine distribution companies, lack of transparency, no accountability etc. However, as individuals we can play a part in ensuring that we exercise our freedom and encourage others to do the same.

Often when days like these come around each year, we tend to focus on the negative. How the government has failed us etc. Which is true to a certain extent, however I want us to shift the focus onto the positive. The not so small things we might take for granted in our day to day lives that our forefathers and mothers fought hard for.  

I will start; the one freedom I love exercising and am truly grateful for is Freedom of Speech. It is a human right which includes freedom to hold opinions, receive and share information and ideas without the interference of authority. I am a loud mouth. I speak my mind all day, every day. It is one of the reasons I started this blog, to create a space where I can voice out my opinions and thoughts in a welcoming community. During apartheid, this right was denied to indigenous South Africans as a way to control their thinking and how they perceived themselves. This is why at some point political gatherings of anti-apartheid parties were banned because the National Party believed they were spreading ‘propaganda’. If there is one thing I will always advocate for is speaking up. It could be the smallest form off injustice but speak up. By using this platform as a medium of expression and advocacy I have no idea how many people I am encouraging and lighting up a fire in their spirits to use their voice even more.

On this day, I want you to reflect on the freedom and human right you are most grateful for and why and share it in the comments down below. By appreciating what we already have we can work towards achieving more. If you haven’t, please subscribe using your email address to receive a notification every time I release a new blog post. Please continue sharing blog information with your friends and family and let us grow our family because there is a not so new table in town and everyone has a seat with their name on it.

 

Love,

A Determined Black Woman.