What 30 Years of Democracy Means to South Africa’s “Born-Free” Generation
For the past 30 years, the generation in South Africa born after apartheid, or around the time it ended, has come to be known as the “born-frees.” This generation was not present to witness what the students of 1976 had to live through. They are Steve Biko’s dream; the ones who were supposed to reap the fruits that the long-drawn struggle for freedom was meant to bear. And while the 1976 protests did yield results, and is a day commemorated annually on June 16 – June is Youth Month in South Africa – what has become apparent over the past three decades is that a general air of discontent exists, and that the labeling of this generation is more a delineation to indicate the post-apartheid era they were born into, rather than a reference to the material conditions of their lives.
Speaking to OkayAfrica, some born-frees share their thoughts on the promises made by the African National Congress government in 1994 — which were centered on enabling a better life for all, growing the economy, land reform, among others — and their feelings about whether those have been met.
What became apparent among those interviewed is that there is an interchanging of democracy and freedom, something that may owe to the promise of a free and democratic South Africa. Democracy is, by definition, a government by the people. Freedom, on the other hand, tends to differ from one person to the other, and every response is reflective of said person’s experience of their world, and how freely they are able to move within it.
In the edited excerpts below, five young South Africans share their hopes and dreams for the future of the country.
Patricia Rakhudu, 30
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For 30-year-old Patricia Rakhudu, democracy means being free to do anything she wants and go any she wants, and learn new things.
OkayAfrica: What does democracy mean to you?
Patricia Rakhudu: So to me, democracy is being able to do anything that I want, being able to go anywhere I want to, being able to to learn new things, being able to be a part of new things. For me, democracy is a big change, and it is something that, you know, we always look forward to. We always look forward to that new change within South Africa.
How do you envision that new change to unfold in the next thirty years? How is it going to look?
If we can just focus on our basic needs, which is our healthcare, our education, our employment rate — if we could focus on that in terms of, you know, maybe let's offer free basic education to the people that cannot afford it. I feel like if I did not have education, I would not be where I am today.
Are you hopeful?
One-hundred percent? I'm hopeful and I have faith in South Africa.
Uthando Madonsela, 18
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Uthando Madonsela, 18, feels privileged to not have experienced “instances of racism that are that bad.”
How do you feel about South Africa commemorating thirty years of democracy this year?
Uthando Madonsela: I wasn't aware of this until now that this year marks thirty years. I'm neutral about the whole situation, because I wasn't there to experience the struggles that my parents and all the other people had to go through, you know? I'm privileged enough to say that I haven't experienced instances of racism that are that bad. But like, it's cool now, you know. Seeing everyone here, in thirty more years it feels like we will have more people included in social settings like this, maybe have more interracial relationships and stuff.
Is that something that’s important to you, having interracial relationships?
It is important since interracial relationships were illegal back then, but there were people that still did it. Even though they're legal now, we still don't see it. It feels like what happened all those years ago with apartheid still has an effect. Like, people still can’t talk to people of other races in the way that they talk amongst each other, in a social setting that is.
Kabelo Moshims (late 20s)
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Kabelo Moshims is hopeful that young South Africans can create a future for their country that they can be proud of.
Do you think there is a balance between what was promised versus your lived experience as a citizen?
Kabelo Moshims: It doesn't balance out because of the expectations that a lot of, I would say, a lot of Black people had. It's not balancing out. But when you're looking at it at face value, it's great.
Are you hopeful about the future?
I think I can be hopeful that, you know, the country can turn it around. But with the current leadership, with the current crop of guys who are making the big decisions, they are way too old, they have no ability to lead. There's no foresight, no one is really thinking of the future. We don't have enough young people leading or taking power who can make a difference. I understand we [have some young people] and [if] you look at it gender-wise, the diversity is there, [but] there are still a lot of shortcomings. I am hopeful, I think it's more of a personality thing. I'm more of an optimist. But at the same time, if we’re being realistic, then we're not going to get to where we need to be, or we can't reach our potential.
We need a change. We need more people to be proud of Africa, to be proud of South Africa, to have access. And at the moment, we don't have that. So as much as I'm here, it’s because I'm very lucky and I'm privileged to have that kind of opportunity. But it’s not across the board, it’s not something that everybody has access to, which is not encouraging.
Kgotso Motingwe, 25
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Kgotso Motingwe, 25, wants young South Africans to “do everything” and be active citizens in terms of shaping the future of democracy.
How did you learn about South Africa’s history and the struggle for democracy?
Kgotso Motingwe: It was through family. I don’t know what exactly my grandma did, but she was also involved heavily in politics. My mom and my aunt always told me all the time about when ‘Yellow Mellows’ [apartheid-era police vehicles] came looking for her. My dad was also into politics. My first interaction with politics was in high school, around Grade 9; they were doing Youth Parliament, taking students in different high schools and putting them in the provincial legislature and having them talk about issues from their own districts. The interest came from learning who the decision-makers in the country are. I started to want to have an understanding of how decisions are made.
And how are decisions made?
In South Africa, decisions are made in the National Assembly or Parliament in Cape Town. We don’t vote for Members of Parliament, we vote for political parties. The ANC has enjoyed the majority over the past couple of years, meaning they have possibly been the decision-makers in a lot of things that happen around our country.
What role should young people play in shaping the future of democracy in the country?
Given that Africa has the largest young population, my answer is that young people should do everything. I’ll speak to active citizenry — if you’re like me and come from a place where people don’t necessarily think about why, for instance, the trash hasn’t been collected today, you’re not inspired to want to know how to make the country better. It’s not that young people are lazy, dumb or stupid. Look at what it means to be an impoverished society, there’s a development factor to it. Being an active citizen doesn’t mean being politically active. Contribute to your community, that’s how you can do better.
Motshewa Khaiyane, 34
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Motshewa Khaiyane believes freedom is safety.
What does democracy mean to you?
Motshewa Khaiyane: Having a voice that counts. I think it is the idea that everybody gets to choose a leader. But also, it comes with compromise, because if there’s more than two parties competing, someone has to make a compromise and accept that this is what the majority has to say. Parliaments and constituencies have always been around, but I think [democracy] is a way to share power with parties that have different ideas.
And what does freedom mean to you?
If you look at where we are right now, even going to get bread at this time, for me, is a big deal. It’s dark, there have been shootings around here, and I don’t think I have that much freedom to move, to really just go out and express who I am in the immediate environment especially.
What are some of the most significant challenges you face as a young person in South Africa today?
It’s a financial thing. I watch how other people have support from parents, grandparents, whereas in my case, it’s the other way around. The “Black Tax” conversation, I know people don’t like that word, but I feel like there’s a political play that isn’t personal, but when you start to define it for each human, my definition comes back to financial freedom. The system has set it up [in a way that] I will have to look after my parents. And then there are other things like lack of access to the right information. If there was a system in place that looks after us in terms of giving information to the right financial resources, people wouldn’t be having to go through this. While we’re thinking of creating this wealth that’s gonna give us physical, mental, and financial freedom, we don’t know how to pass it on to our kids. I think information is a really big thing.