What’s to celebrate on Freedom Day?
Saturday marked Freedom Day. This is the day in 1994 that black South Africans first cast their votes in a general election. It was a historic moment. The day will remain etched in the minds of most black people.
The question is: 30 years on, are we free? Politically, yes. However, economic liberation continues to elude blacks.
If I may ask, when are blacks going to build their economy?
Also, when are they going to stop blaming white monopoly capital for their lack of financial progress?
The truth of the matter is that they don’t have an economic development plan. The Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy has benefitted a chosen few: those close to the governing party’s top brass. BEE is still there yet it’s failing to empower the black nation.
In addition, blacks have yet to identify their strength. On the other hand, other nations have identified their weakness and are using it to their benefit. Blacks are consumers and don’t support one another. Instead, they buy from other races.
A few years ago, Pakistanis and Somalis descended on our country. They took over spaza shops in the townships. Not only that, but they also managed them successfully. So much so that they now own the township economy.
The Pakistanis and Somalis have no political power. And they have been here for less than 15 years, yet they have taken over the township economy. They must be doing something right.
Interestingly, blacks are the ones who buy from the spazas owned by foreign nationals. They are the ones who are making them rich. This is despite the fact that these foreign nationals are selling them unhealthy goods, putting consumers’ lives at risk. Are they cursed?
South Africa’s big banks are owned by whites. These banks make decisions that don’t favour blacks but they continue to bank with them. For instance, blacks are regarded as high risk by these banks. As a result, they are charged higher interest rates.
On Freedom Day, what did blacks celebrate? Was there something to celebrate? Methinks not. It’s time they sit down and devise an economic plan. Otherwise, they will continue to be slaves.