Help shape your future
THE TASK of every generation is to face their challenges and tackle them bravely. There is a young generation that has no experience in the struggle for freedom. They are referred to as the “born frees” or “Mandela’s children”.
The future of our country and continent lies with this generation.
Our collective challenge must be to fire up their imaginations with a new narrative about what is involved in uniting our people and building our country.
Three-hundred years of slavery, colonialism, land dispossession, indenture, unfettered capitalism and apartheid has left us a highly unequal and deeply wounded society.
We must be honest about the fault lines that hinder our progress in nation building, social cohesion and the overall transformation of our society.
Twenty-three years is a short time in the life of a nation.
Latin American scholars Guillermo O’Donnell and Philippe Schmitter have written extensive literature on transitions from authoritarian rule.
They describe a transition as a period between the end of authoritarianism and the emergence of some kind of democratic alternative.
They note, however, (based on Latin America) that there is always the threat of authoritarian regression in which the old order tries to claw its way back.
In recent years, South Africa has had to deal with such threats expressed through statements from people like Penny Sparrow, Dawie Kriel and the white right wing.
While their attempts to erode our unity might be politically impotent, they have tremendous nuisance value in undermining the democratic gains of the past 23 years.
There are those who seek to glorify colonialism. The effect is to entrench feelings of superiority of the minority and suggest inferiority of the majority. This is ridiculous in this day and age.
Last weekend we took part in the Salt March, which commemorated Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle against the British Empire’s deliberate destruction of the Indian indigenous economy.
Democrats and freedomloving people have to be constantly on their guard to defend the democratic state against these and other threats.
There are many threats to our stability and our unity. Corruption, for instance, is a cancer in our society. We must confront it, expose it and ensure that there are consequences for wrongdoing at whichever level of our society it occurs.
Transforming our society will not happen by being on your smartphone. That task will take concerted effort in being organised and mobilised.
There are tremendous opportunities for young people to get involved in any number of issues that confront their generation.
It was exciting watching young people in Durban this past weekend in the March for Science. They joined their peers in 400 marches in 35 countries to clamour for inclusivity in science and for governments to fund research. There are new terrains of struggle popping up all the time.
Wherever you are, get organised. Join civic, sporting, environmental, professional, religious or other bodies that locate you firmly within your community.
It is only as a collective force that you can have an impact. There is tremendous talent all around. Young South Africans from all backgrounds are making a powerful impact on the local and global stage.
Resist lamenting what might be wrong in our society. Instead, determine your own destiny by facing those challenges head-on and shaping the future.
During Freedom Day celebrations, make a bold statement that you want to be part of the new non-racial generation ready to move our country forward.
The community of South Africans of Indian origin have since 1860 produced leaders of exemplary quality. Today, former finance minister Pravin Gordhan remains a leader of unquestionable integrity, talent, discipline and vision. He follows a long line that includes Monty Naicker, Billy Nair, Fatima Meer and Ahmed Kathrada. Be inspired. Pick up your chins and stiffen your spines.
Claim your space.
Ravi Pillay is the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works in KwaZuluNatal and also serves on the ANC provincial executive committee. At the time of the 1976 Soweto Uprising he was a student activist at the University of
Durban-Westville.