Pretoria - As hundreds of people converged on the Union Buildings in Pretoria for the Gauteng provincial government’s Freedom Day celebrations, at least one group of young people chose not to attend the festivities, saying they weren’t convinced there was that much to celebrate.
“You’re talking about freedom? What freedom is that when my brothers, sisters and friends back in East London have nothing to show for it?” asked Sabelo James.
He and three friends sat next to one of their vehicles outside their block of flats, listening to loud music and sipping on beers.
They said that, although they were fortunate enough to be employed, many of their peers were not.
They added that people needed help from the government to be able to be able to reach for opportunities.
James said the municipality in his home town, East London in the Eastern Cape, was in disarray 22 years after the dawn of democracy.
“That place is disintegrating, it’s like it got worse after the apartheid government.”
Of the Freedom Day celebrations, he said: “Those people [government officials] are just going to preach the same thing again, and enjoy nice food. I am not going there. I’ll just watch the news.”
His friend, a 26-year-old who said his name was George, argued that he was free to choose whether to go join his fellow citizens at the Union Buildings or not.
“We were talking about education in this country just now. Most of us have given up on the state. You have to find a way to go to a college. Government is not helping the majority who really need funding to study.
“It’s hard out there. Their parents have no choice but to take out loans they can’t afford to pay back.”
Young people had good ideas but needed help from the private sector and government, he said.
Premier David Makhura was expected to address the hundreds of people gathered on the lower lawn of the seat of power. Most wore ANC T-shirts and waved the national flag, singing and dancing, enjoying being entertained by various artists.
The day had started with a 4km ‘Freedom Parade’ walk from the Palace of Justice in Pretoria’s CBD to the Union Buildings, led by Premier David Makhura and some members of his executive.
Freedom Day 2016 marks 22 years since South Africans of all colours voted for the first democratically elected government that was subsequently led by Nelson Mandela. The day also coincides with the adoption in 1994 of the country’s all-inclusive Constitution, which is seen by many as the best constitution in the world.
– African News Agency