This year on 27 April 2022, South Africa celebrates, remembers and reflects on Freedom Day. It is widely known that Freedom Day is the commemoration of the first free democratic election in South Africa, held on the 27th April 1994. But what exactly does Freedom Day mean to us as as South Africans? 

Nelson Mandela once said: “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

On this day, our Dispute Resolution specialists at Phatshoane Henney Attorneys enjoyed a special moment together at the Nelson Mandela statue on Naval Hill in Bloemfontein, to not only celebrate Freedom Day, but reflect together on why it is really such an important day for us as South Africans (pictured here).

What we realise we and our fellow South Africans often forget, is that Freedom Day is more than a commemoration. It is a culmination of the struggle and contributions by various members of society to see South Africa reach a democratic dispensation founded on, among others, the following values: human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedom, non-racialism and non-sexism, the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law.

Importantly, Freedom Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our progress, challenges, successes and failures as a democracy over the last 28 years. The question we need to ask is: “Where were we as a democratic country 28 years ago, and where are we today?”

Instead of providing a broad range of criticism and praise, we should perhaps consider two factors in the success and failure of our democratic country, with the statistics below providing us with insight on the matter:

- In 1994, 86.87% of South African voters cast their votes in the National and Provincial elections. By 2019 (pre-pandemic) this figure had dropped to roughly 57% and in 2021, less than 50% of voters cast their ballots in the Local Government Elections.

- In 1994, the inequalities in South Africa were glaring and undisputable. Unfortunately the latest reports by the World Bank on inequality (click to view) indicate that South Africa is now (and has been for some time) the most unequal country in the world, and the inequality gap continues to grow.

This provides us with a good sense of the challenge we should be reminded of as a nation, which is inequality. However, we have made strides and seen the lives of many South Africans improve despite the challenges we endure on a day-to-day basis. 

The gains of freedom have also provided the majority of South Africans with political rights to participate in electing our government, and participate in all spheres of the economy, governance and other opportunities. 

Unfortunately, the legacy of inequality that has plagued South Africa continues to be pervasive in spite of numerous government interventions to attempt to change the status quo. It should come as no surprise that the right to equality is the first mentioned right in the Bill of Rights. Its place on our Bill of Rights is a direct reflection of our countries past because it is one of the rights that was violated the most. 

Perhaps as we reflect on our progress, or in certain instances the lack thereof since 1994, each South African should ask themselves: “What have I contributed to the growth, development and improvement of our country with the freedoms afforded to me?” and “Should I be doing more?”

As we celebrate the rights gained in our democracy, it may be time for each of us to consider our role and responsibility associated with these rights. For many of us, the first step could be as easy as to cast our vote at the next election or even finding a way to improve the lives of those who are less fortunate. Let us, all as South Africans, continue to together promote and defend our freedom.