Youth long for an end to racism in SA

TWENTY-four years into South Africa’s democracy, six out of 10 South Africans say reconciliation cannot fully take its course while the previously oppressed remain poor.

This is according to the latest South African Reconciliation Barometer, a public opinion survey by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation which gives a snapshot of what citizens think about social cohesion, reconciliation and democratic governance.

According to the latest report, South Africans lack trust among themselves, have little confidence in politicians but fairly trust judicial and legal institutions.

The Weekend Argus asked a few young people about their views on freedom and their aspirations for the country.

Ragheemah Arends, 22, a newly graduated journalist said Freedom Day, marked a significant part of the country’s history and future. “Without the struggle for freedom, we would not be where we are today.

“It makes me proud to be South African and to know that I have a voice – the fact that we can protest means we have a right to voice our opinion. We still have a problem of racism thoug.”

For Stellenbosch University SRC chairman, Lwando Nkamisa, 25, yesterday’s commemoration of Freedom Day marked the onset of political freedom and opportunities for South Africans.

“Freedom for me means as a black person I have more opportunities. Being at an institution like Stellenbosch University, with its known history, is a sign of transformation.”

“As a country, we still have problems with unemployment, crime and poverty but there is progress,” the Master’s student said.

Pamela Kahla, 20, a graphic design student at CPUT said: “As young people we must use the available opportunities.” She longed for a future without racism, cyberbullying and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.

CPUT SRC president Phathindwe Mncamase, 26, said: “We still need to make sure everyone understands that we are one South Africa. We still have racism to deal with. We attained political freedom but we do not have economic freedom.”

He yearned for a country where “the youth run the economy”.

noloyiso.mtembu@inl.co.za

PICTURE: SOLYISO MALITIT/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY (ANA) Tulani Piko, a former Azanian People’s Liberation Army solider, maintains that there is no freedom without an equal economy.