Reflections on the 30 years of freedom and democracy
“This SoNA takes place in the 30th year of our democracy. On 27 April 1994, millions of South Africans cast their ballot in a democratic election, many for the first time in their lives. That momentous day was the culmination of centuries of struggle, the Struggle to liberate our people from suffering and oppression, from dispossession and exploitation, from poverty and inequality.
“As we stood in the long, winding queues to vote, we turned to one another and spoke of our joy and sometimes with tears running down our cheeks. We embraced friends and strangers alike, encouraged by a sense of a common future that we were about to determine for our country with our vote. We placed into those ballot boxes not just a vote, but a dream of the country we wanted to build.
“It was the dream of a South Africa that, in every sense, belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity. The world watched as Nelson Mandela, the father of our nation, cast his vote in Inanda in KwaZulu-Natal; the land of uShaka, a hero whose name echoes across the ages; the birthplace of John Langalibalele Dube, the first President of the ANC, which united the African people; and the home of Chief Albert Luthuli, the first African Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
“In many ways, his voting in Inanda at the place where John Langalibalele Dube is buried, was symbolic because through casting his vote there, he was reporting back to the first President of the ANC on how far the Struggle had been prosecuted.
“This is the beginning of a new era. We have moved from an era of pessimism, division, limited opportunities, turmoil and conflict. We are starting a new era of hope, reconciliation and nation-building.”
“It is this dream, of a free and united people, that is woven into our democratic Constitution.
“It is this Constitution that has guided our collective efforts over the last three decades to fundamentally change our country for the better, and it must stand at the centre of the work we do now to build a better life for all.”
Achievements of the last three decades
Over the last three decades, government has been on a journey, striving together to achieve a new society – a national democratic society. Government has cast off the tyranny of apartheid and built a democratic state based on the will of the people. It has established strong institutions to protect the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all people.
Government has transformed the lives of millions of South Africans, providing the necessities of life and creating opportunities that never existed before. It has enabled a diverse economy whose minerals, agricultural products and manufactured goods reach every corner of the world, while creating jobs in South Africa.
“As a country, we have returned to the community of nations, extending a hand of peace and friendship to all countries and all people. Just as we cannot deny the progress South Africans have made over the last 30 years, nor should we diminish the severe challenges that we continue to face. We have endured times of great difficulty, when the strength of our constitutional democracy has been severely tested.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa, SoNA, 8 February 2024, Cape Town City Hall.
External factors
“There have been times when events beyond our borders have held back our progress. The global financial crisis of 2007 and 2008 brought to an end, a decade of strong growth and faster job creation.
“More recently, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has contributed to rising prices of fuel, food and other goods across the world – and has, as a result, made life more difficult for all South Africans.”
Effects of state capture
“There have also been times when events at home have shaken the foundations of our constitutional democracy. Perhaps the greatest damage was caused during the era of state capture.
“For a decade, individuals at the highest levels of the State conspired with private individuals to take over and repurpose state-owned companies, law-enforcement agencies and other public institutions.
“In some cases, these activities were enabled by local and multinational companies. Billions of rands that were meant to meet the needs of ordinary South Africans were stolen.
“Confidence in our country was badly eroded. Public institutions were severely weakened. The effects of state capture continue to be felt across society, from the shortage of freight locomotives to crumbling public services, from the poor performance of our power stations to failed development projects.
“But South Africans, including many honest and dedicated public officials, fought back and worked together to defeat state capture. Even then, attempts to thwart the country’s recovery continued.”
Failed insurrection
“We recall with great anguish the events of July 2021, when individuals loyal to their own interests sought to provoke a popular insurrection, leading to a tragic loss of life and widespread destruction. Again, they were unsuccessful.
“These efforts to undo the hard-won gains of our freedom failed because the people of South Africa stood firm, together, in defence of our Constitution and its promise of a better life for all.”
Dealing with Covid-19
“It was the same determination that enabled the country to endure the devastation of COVID-19, the worst global pandemic in over a century. More than 100 000 South Africans lost their lives to the disease and two million people lost their jobs.
“Yet, it would have been far worse if we had not acted together as one to stop the spread of the virus, to support our health workers, to protect the most vulnerable, and to roll out an unprecedented vaccination programme. We were able to unite society around a common effort to save lives and livelihoods.”
“I want to pay tribute to the many thousands of South Africans who made financial contributions to the Solidarity Fund, to the workers who produced medical supplies, and to the nurses, doctors and other health workers who risked their lives to care for those who were ill.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa, SoNA, 8 February 2024, Cape Town City Hall.
Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF)
Another major challenge government has to address is GBVF, which it characterised as the second pandemic. Government has introduced laws and directed more resources to prosecuting perpetrators, providing better support to survivors, and promoting women’s economic empowerment.
“As a society, we must intensify our collective efforts to bring GBVF to an end.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa, SoNA, 8 February 2024, Cape Town City Hall.
Effects of climate change
In recent years, South Africa has had to confront the effects of climate change. The country has had devastating wildfires in the Western Cape, destructive floods in KwaZulu-Natal, unbearable heatwaves in the Northern Cape, persistent drought in the Eastern Cape, and intense storms in Gauteng.
