According to the South African government “the Freedom Month celebration offers South Africans an opportunity reflect on how they have benefited from freedom thus far, while also examining the challenges that come with it.” This year marks the 150th anniversary of a struggle icon and human rights campaigner Charlotte Maxeke.
She and other selfless women of her generation fought against oppression at a time when such defiance was met with relentless force. It will be celebrated under the theme “The Year of Charlotte Maxeke: the meaning of Freedom under COVID-19.” The commemoration comes at a time when South Africa is about to embark on a massive vaccination programme. Vaccines save lives and they are our only best chance of returning to our normal way of life. We call on everyone to use the Freedom Month and Freedom Day celebrations to emphasize the need for vaccination. Let us continue to fight the virus while striving for a greater inclusion and social cohesion.”
Do the citizens of the country fully understand the meaning of Freedom and its importance? Do they understand what was done for them to reap the rewards of freedom?, Lethabo Motaung spoke to Ekurhuleni News and said that “I fully understand the meaning of Freedom Day and so forth but my concern comes as when we say we are free yet we still face challenges that our grandparents faced. Higher education is still not free, not so long ago a young person was killed by people who are tasked to protect us. We are still unemployed.
We have qualifications that are with-held as we owe tuition. Life has become even more difficult. Yes the heroines and heroes died for us so that we can have a better future and be free, but are we? We are the sad generation but we can only be free until we fight and conquer our adversities.”
By Vuyokazi Bam
