FREEDOM DAY IN SOUTH AFRICA
May 21st, 2007 by kendi
Freedom Day in South Africa its one of the countrys most significant celebrations as it marks its liberation from white control. The day is recognized not only as a holiday but is used by the President to focus on the achievements of the past year and the challenges of the coming one.
Having, come a long way with the restoration of dignity, unity and equality.
For the South African Ambassador, Miss Dona Marasha, its symbolic meaning cannot be over emphasized.
HOW FREE IS SOUTH AFRICA TODAY?
Quoting our President, for millions of people today is better than yesterday and tomorrow will bring more joy than today, which means that there is still much to do for the people. The greatest step has been the creation of a constitution that has brought about unity, addressed many issues previously neglected by the apartheid government, resulting in a more peaceful country. South Africa had to go through several processes, one of which was the process of healing the division of the past; and another, the attainment of equality regardless of race and colour which resulted in the observance of human rights in all spheres of the society. For instance, there was a time when people had their basic needs and services denied such as education, electricity, shelter and clean water. Under the new dispensation, everyone has a right to shelter, education, electricity and clean water.
Endy Makabwe, The Ambassador Miss Dona Morasha,Petrus Viljoen
THE LATEST GLOBAL GENDER GAP REPORT RANKS SOUTH AFRICA 18TH OF 115 COUNTRIES SURVEYED. HOW EMPOWERED ARE SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN, SOCIALLY, POLITICALLY ETC?
When we talk about women oppressed as social citizens, it’s imperative to understand that culture and tradition previously defined the role of women. This was a disadvantage that put them in positions that did not basically recognize their role in the community, as individuals capable of positively contributing to the larger society. Women could never own lands or properties. Today, this has changed as women can now own lands and have rights to properties. Politically, women were also left out. Presently 42% of the parliament are women, so they are gradually being empowered to participate constructively. This of course, is a priority for the goverment and to achieve this, an office was created to cater to the needs and interests of women. Again, their status in both public and private sectors is being redefined to close the gender gap.
Furthurmore, policies and guidelines are now in place to give women preference in public and private enterprises. The idea is not to simply place women in these positions but to train them, equip them with the necessary resources and support them by providing the required skills needed to carry out their respective jobs. We do understand that the difficult part will be training the women because of the unvailability of the facilities. Nevertheless, the goverment is working at making the needed infrastructure available.
A positive development was the creation of small and medium scale enterprises. Which serves as an avenue for the government to provide grants to women. These enterprises most have a certain percentage of women for the grants to be given.
WHATS AHEAD FOR SOUTH AFRICA?
The vision is for a better South Africa in a better continent for the benefit of the ordinary man. By the year 2014, poverty would have been cut and brought peoples lives brought to a normal standard. This is indicative of the numerous steps taken by goverment to address the problems that hamper development in South Africa.
In the history of the African National Congress (ANC) there is a clause in the freedom charter that says the people shall govern. The goverment has taken this into consideration so there is hope for a continued participatory democracy.