27 April 1994; a monumental day for our country. A day when South Africans were given the freedom to vote. The first national elections in South Africa which did not depend on race.
18 years later, as tradition gives, I find myself slouched on the couch watching the Freedom Day celebration at the union buildings on SABC 2. During the interviews, one 18 year old girl was asked, “Do you know what freedom day is?” THIXO!!!!! I knew she was a bad pick the moment she snapped her tongue when opening her mouth to respond! Her response had my skin crawling!
Very confident with a high pitched voice she responded, “Freedom day is the day when everybody comes to the union buildings to see the President and enjoy” *REALLY!?* o_O
18 years later, South Africa; is this is who we are? What we have become? After all the rage and embarrassment from this young lady’s response and many others that followed; only one question resonated in my head, “who are you?” You can rage all u want, but, what are you doing to change the current state of affairs in SA. It is also important that we interrogate ourselves as a country and try to find the answers to the questions, "Why/How did we get here?".
Knowledge is power! Next time you sit down with your younger sister, brother, niece, friends, elder. Do spark a debate regarding our history, impart knowledge, learn! Let us help young South Africa to know who they are! After all, they are your reflection; we have made this 18 years of Freedom what it is!
IGNORANT!
On a lighter note, my Freedom Day celebrations saw me heading to the highest court in the land, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, Johannesburg.
This place marks a very important time in our history. Worth visiting, the lessons are far greater. Knowledge is power.
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