Mzansi reflects on democracy, 30 years on!

SOUTH AFRICA is celebrating 30 years of democratic rule after it worked through apartheid turmoil.

 In 1994, millions of South Africans cast their votes for the first time and unseated the apartheid government.

The defeat of apartheid brought a new dawn, which was about to explode at the time. It brought joy and opened a positive path for South Africans, and people were no longer discriminated against according to race.

Saturday, 27 April, is the commemoration of such a milestone to be held at the Union Buildings in Tshwane as President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to give a speech reflecting on what the country has achieved.

The President's spokesman Vincent Magwenya, reflecting on the strides made over the 30 years, said: "We honour the sacrifices of those who fought tirelessly for a democratic, equal, and discrimination free nation."

He said the commemoration calls on all South Africans to honour our past, celebrate our achievements, and collectively build a future where everyone enjoys equal rights.

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General Industries Workers Union of South Africa's President, Mametlwe Sebei, said they unapologetically choose to celebrate the historic role played by the labour movement in hammering the ultimate nail into the coffin of apartheid. 

"The revolutionary black working class bore the ultimate burden of liberating this country from the yoke of settler colonialism and apartheid," said Sebei.

Saftu General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said the first democratic elections marked an end to the policy of separate development.

He said separate development meant there was no equality in the justice system, prohibited mixed marriages, perpetuated poor and underfunded education system for the non-white community, poor health care services, and discrimination of access to public amenities such as parks and toilets.

"Outlawing discrimination based on race and ethnicity has not fundamentally changed the structural makeup of society, especially the class relations as shaped by colonialism and apartheid," Vavi said.