Over the past 30 years, South Africa has seen considerable strides in enhancing the lives of its people.
Sadly, alongside these achievements, corruption and poor governance have significantly hampered the country’s democratic prosperity and protection of fundamental human rights, which millions of South Africans fought so hard for.
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Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, South Africa has distinguished itself among transitioning nations.
However, three decades later, South Africa finds itself downgraded to junk status, marking a significant departure from its promising beginnings.
As the country faces a pivotal general election, it grapples with the consequences of relinquishing its early achievements.
February 11, 1990, was a historic day eagerly anticipated by millions of South Africans of colour.
Nelson Mandela emerged from Victor Verster Prison, his fist clenched in triumph, alongside his wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
Despite the presence of police, a throng of enthusiastic supporters had gathered, longing for a glimpse of their newly liberated leader. Mandela, who had endured 27 years of imprisonment for his steadfast opposition to apartheid, symbolised hope and resilience as he stepped out into freedom.
South Africa held its inaugural democratic election with universal suffrage, marking a pivotal moment in its history.
Despite decades of legalised racial segregation under the apartheid system, the nation went to the polls and elected a new national assembly.
This assembly, in a historic move, chose Nelson Mandela as the country’s first black president. Mandela, who had spent years in prison, assumed leadership, symbolising a new era of hope and unity for South Africa.
On 24 June 1995, at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park Stadium, South Africa achieved a historic victory in the Rugby World Cup, defeating its long-standing rival New Zealand by a score of 15-12.
This match holds immense significance in South African history, representing the nation’s first major sporting event following the dismantling of the Apartheid regime in 1991.
Under the slogan ‘One Team, One Country,’ Mandela emphasised the importance of collective identity and cohesion for the newly unified South Africa.
President Nelson Mandela’s support for the rugby team, notably captain Francois Pienaar, and his decision to wear the Springbok jersey during the final match conveyed a significant message of inclusiveness and unity.
Mandela’s backing of the team played a crucial role in bridging racial divisions and nurturing a collective sense of pride and belonging among South Africans.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established in South Africa in 1995 as a pivotal element of the country’s transition from apartheid to democracy.
Its primary objective was to address the human rights violations and atrocities perpetrated during the apartheid era by providing a platform for both victims and perpetrators to share their stories and pursue reconciliation.
Under the leadership of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the TRC played a significant role in uncovering the truth surrounding past injustices, facilitating healing, and fostering national cohesion.
Through its public hearings, the TRC empowered victims to confront their oppressors and allowed perpetrators to apply for amnesty in exchange for full disclosure of their wrongdoing.
In 1996, South Africa embraced a new constitution, signalling the completion of a democratic journey initiated during the transition from Apartheid to democracy in the early 1990s.
Crafted through thorough negotiations and consultations with diverse stakeholders, the constitution reflected a shared agreement on the foundational principles and values guiding the nation’s future.
This milestone document marked a departure from South Africa’s apartheid history and laid the groundwork for constructing a democratic and inclusive society rooted in the principles of legality and human rights.
Jacob Zuma assumed office in 2009, marking a challenging phase in South Africa’s democratic journey.
His presidency was characterised by a series of corruption scandals and accusations of state capture, where private interests allegedly influenced governmental decisions for personal benefit.
These allegations significantly undermined public trust in the government and led to nationwide protests, which weakened the credibility of state institutions.
Additionally, South Africa experienced sluggish economic growth, escalating unemployment rates, and a depreciation of the national currency under Zuma’s leadership.
Zuma’s presidency is widely perceived as a period of regression for South Africa, marked by corruption, economic stagnation, political turbulence, social unrest, and threats to democratic norms and institutions.
Since taking office in 2018, Cyril Ramaphosa has made efforts to address pressing problems that South Africa is facing.
This includes social reconciliation, COVID-19 response, land reform, corruption prevention and energy sector reform.
Despite notable advancements in certain areas, considerable obstacles persist as the nation strives to attain its developmental objectives. Moreover, the country has experienced more frequent implementation of loadshedding, a measure that has been met with dissatisfaction in many regions.
Since the turn of democracy in South Africa, the nation has encountered ebbs and flows in its progress. Presently, there is a stark contrast.
However, with the upcoming elections on the horizon, there’s a renewed sense of hope.
Every vote is a voice for change, and by actively participating in the democratic process, South Africans have the opportunity to steer the country towards a path of prosperity and unity.
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Picture: Allan Tannenbaum / Getty Images
