Life better than before – Ramaphosa

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa said despite challenges such as unemployment, crime, gender-based violence and many others, the people of South Africa have tasted the fruits of freedom.

“The quality of life of our citizens has improved from what it used to be under apartheid. In democratic South Africa 81% of our people live in formal housing, nine out of 10 people have access to clean water and more than 85% have access to electricity, despite the challenges that we have with our electricity generation,” said Ramaphosa.

“Under democracy, basic education and health care is no longer a privilege of a few but for all. Ninety-six percent of children of school-going age are in school today, two thirds of the learners attend schools where they no longer have to pay fees,” he said.

Ramaphosa spoke during the official Freedom Day commemoration in Middelburg, Mpumalanga yesterday.

Freedom Day was celebrated under the theme “Consolidate our Democratic Gains” marking South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.

He said in democratising South Africa, social grants provided a lifeline and a source of income to 18 million indigent people.

“If we add the R11 million (from the R350) grant, it means we are talking about almost 30 million South Africans getting grants every month from this government,” he said.

Ramaphosa highlighted the fact that an injustice that South Africans suffered under apartheid was about land, and that government had a plan.

“In a free South Africa we have recognised the injustices of the past and are implementing a programme to restitute and redistribute land to those who were dispossessed of their birthright. The land issue is still a burning issue among South Africans and we are addressing it,” Ramaphosa said.

A number of residents raised concerns about little or a lack of service delivery and the high rate of unemployment in their area.

Mhluzi township resident, Nomgqibelo Madonsela was glad that Ramaphosa visited her area, saying she would be happy if the government could create more jobs.

“I am not working, I was affected by Covid-19, but I am happy that I have a house that the government gave me,” said Madonsela.