This year’s Freedom Month, marked every year in April, will be celebrated under the theme: “Consolidating Our Democratic Gains”, as 2022 marks 28 years since the dawn of democracy in 1994 and fast approaching the three-decade milestone of the country’s constitutional democracy.
On the other hand, Freedom Day is the commemoration of the first democratic elections held in SA on 27 April 1994. These were the first post-apartheid national elections where anyone could vote regardless of race. When I was thinking about the fact that we are commemorating Freedom Month, I felt that it was essential to look at where we are and honestly evaluate some of the challenges that we are facing currently and, where possible, celebrate any highlights that we might have.
As much as it is important to evaluate the challenges that we are facing – as a country, we are also in desperate need of some good news. When I watch the news daily, it’s mostly negative stories one after the other, and it feels like it just never stops. As despondent as I feel at times about what is happening in the country, I know that giving up is not an option. Before we try to find any news to celebrate, we need to look at the current state of affairs. When I look at our challenges – I think about our youth, who are our future leaders, and how all of this is affecting them currently and possibly in the future if we do not find lasting solutions.
Some of the most pressing socio-economic issues for the South African youth include the following:
- Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) recently announced that the unemployment rate has – in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2021 – risen to 35.3% from 34.9% in the previous quarter. This was the highest level since the start of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey in 2008.
- Also, Stats SA revealed that the country recorded 34 587 teenagers who gave birth in the 2020/21 financial year. Teenage Pregnancy has been identified as one of the main contributing factors to the high rate of school dropouts.
- On gender-based violence (GBV) — Crime Stats for the first quarter of 2021/2022 revealed that 10 006 people were raped between April and June 2021. This is an increase of 4 201 cases, amounting to a 72.4% increase, compared to the reporting period. In 2021, Stats SA released a report on Crimes Against Women in SA, indicating that one in five women (21%) had experienced physical violence by a partner.
- The challenges mentioned above are just some of the issues ordinary South Africans experience, but these are just the tip of the iceberg. I did mention, though, earlier that the focus will not only be on the doom and gloom in the country – we also need to recognise any work done by either government or private sector to rebuild SA.
Some of the efforts that have been made to overcome the challenges that I’ve mentioned include:
- The fact that four years ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged that he would ensure that there’s R1,2 trillion is investment into SA by 2023. As of the latest national investment conference, the country is 95% closer to its target.
- The Department of Social Development in the Eastern Cape recently embarked on an intensive drive using training programmes to fight GBV in the province.
Investment into our local economy gives us hope that this could translate into jobs that our youth so desperately need. Any skills development programmes focusing specifically on youth mean that we can breed the next generation of entrepreneurs. Because of the endless challenges that our country faces, many youths are feeling despondent. However, these days it seems like the youth of Mzansi is kept positive and motivated by exceptional achievements in both the entertainment and the sports industries.
Case in point: SA-born celebrities doing our country proud on the international stage include Trevor Noah, Nomzamo Mbatha, Black Coffee, Charlize Theron, Thuso Mbedu and Arnold Vosloo. These are just some of the public figures who have made it against all odds and are now the kind of role models our youth need. Their hard work, determination, consistency, and perseverance have paid off. Their recent accolades are something to celebrate. These are but a few of the good news that the country needed to keep all of us motivated.
Miranda Lusiba is the Founding Director of Strangé Consulting – a boutique PR Agency specialising in Communication, Media Relations, Freelance Writing, Reputation Management and Media Training.
**Disclaimer: Miranda Lusiba & STRANGÉ CONSULTING retain all title, ownership, and intellectual property (IP) rights to these columns and trademarks contained in all other information and supporting documents. This is in accordance with the SA: Copyright Act 98 of 1978 (amended) Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Act 38 of 1997.
