‘Freedom Day represents the triumph of the human spirit over oppression'
Social activist Mamello Segale discussed the importance of Freedom Day and its impact on the lives of South Africans.
'Freedom Day represents the triumph of the human spirit over oppression. It's a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedom and a call to continue striving for true equality and justice,' she described.
She further noted that Freedom Day (April 27) commemorates the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994, marking the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era. She added that the day also emphasises the country's transition to democracy.
For her, celebrating this day is essential because it reminds people of the progress made and the work still needed to achieve equality. She stated that it inspires ongoing activism and advocacy for social justice, ensuring that the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom are not forgotten.
Growing up, I saw the impact of systemic inequality on my community. Witnessing injustices and hearing stories of resilience sparked my passion for activism.
'I wanted to contribute to creating a more just and equitable society. Freedom Day's legacy reminds me of the power of collective action and the importance of holding leaders accountable. It motivates me to continue fighting for the rights of marginalised communities and pushing for systemic change,' Mamello expressed.
She explained that her grandparents were involved in the struggle against apartheid, and their stories of resilience and sacrifice inspired her to continue their work.
'Their experiences shaped my understanding of the importance of freedom and equality. They were staying at Bekkersdal when Winnie Mandela came with the Xhosa,' she said.
Even though it was a long struggle against inequality, Mamello explained that some challenges persist in fully achieving freedom, including poverty, inequality, and lack of access to education and healthcare. She added that systemic issues like corruption and state capture also threaten the progress made towards freedom and equality.
While progress has been made, there's still much work to be done. The ideals of equality, justice, and democracy are not yet fully realised.
'Continued activism and advocacy are necessary to push for their full implementation.
'To engage the youth, I share stories of the struggle for freedom, highlighting the role young people played. I also emphasise the importance of their continued involvement in shaping the country's future and ensuring the realisation of freedom and equality. Community organising is crucial. It empowers communities to take action, builds solidarity, and pushes for systemic change. By working together, communities can keep the spirit of Freedom Day alive and continue striving for a more just society,' she said.
Mamello is involved in various awareness campaigns such as access to education, the Justice for Cwecwe movement, and Water is Life.
'Let us honour the sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom by continuing to strive for a society that is truly free and equal for all. Let us work together to address the challenges we still face and build a brighter future for generations to come,' she concluded.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
The fatal failure of SA's political opposition
While the creation of our first national coalition government was supposed to be a major change in government, it has also led to major changes in the opposition benches. Despite the fact that the coalition has failed to improve the lives of most South Africans, parties that oppose it have failed to make much headway. South Africa's 2024 elections led to the biggest changes in the opposition benches. The Democratic Alliance (DA), which had become very effective in opposition, was suddenly in government (and taking many of its oppositional habits into the Union Buildings). advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads A party (MK) which had never been represented in Parliament before was suddenly the Official Opposition. And was led by someone who himself had never been an MP. The previous time John Hlophe had been mentioned in the National Assembly was the day he became the first judge to be impeached in the democratic era. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), used to being able to make noise as the third-biggest party, found itself in a reduced role, even though its greater parliamentary experience has made it more effective than the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party. And there are several smaller parties who have both tried to be oppositional to the coalition, and flirted with joining it. It is perhaps the greatest indictment of our opposition parties that despite the fact the coalition has delivered GDP growth of just 0.1%, they cannot craft an effective message. A major part of this has been the divided nature of the MK party. Considering President Jacob Zuma's history of a lust for personal power and for wrecking institutions, this was always going to be the case. The revolving door of people in the position of secretary-general has surely created massive instability. It was also entirely predictable that the trio of Zuma, Hlophe and Floyd Shivambu was going to be about as stable as the Trump-Musk relationship. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads Zuma also had very few people to choose from. The fact he had to appoint someone like Mzwanele Manyi to the position of Chief Whip and then demote him is proof of that. Probably only one other individual has said more and contributed less to our politics than he. Meanwhile, Hlophe has appeared to battle with the transition from being a judge, where your instructions are simply obeyed, to leading a parliamentary caucus, where people must be persuaded. He has also not been able to deliver a single speech in Parliament that has captured the public imagination. For the Leader of the Opposition, a constitutionally mandated position, this is a massive failure. Parliamentary speeches are a massive platform for the opposition and the leader of that party should be able to use it effectively. However, as has been said many times, MK's real problem is that there is no internal democracy and thus no durable legitimate structures. It is unlikely that this will change and thus unlikely that it will become a more effective opposition. The EFF has shown itself to be more effective than MK, partly because its members have more parliamentary experience and partly because its leader, Julius Malema, is prepared to be in Parliament and thus use its platform (unlike Zuma). advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads That said, it still appears as if the EFF has not yet got over the shock of being relegated to the position of fourth-largest political party. Certainly, Malema appears to be unable to grab the political agenda in a way he did, say, five years ago. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads Even though videos featuring him were shown during President Cyril Ramaphosa's Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump, he was unable to really insert himself into that story. It may be that Malema's previous focus, on attacking first Zuma and then Ramaphosa so personally, has turned into a strategic weakness. Ramaphosa is not as powerful as he was and, while he may symbolise the coalition government, Malema has been unable to turn him into a hate figure. Crucially, Malema announced at the start of this Parliament that he would no longer disrupt proceedings as he had in the past. So far, he has not been able to come up with a new tactic, or a new line of attack that has really given him traction. One of the more intriguing dynamics of this period has been the role of some of the smaller parties that are not formally in the government coalition. ActionSA has found itself in a position where it can at times support the coalition or the ANC, and then oppose it. In the hours after ActionSA took the decision to vote with the ANC to support the fiscal framework of Budget 2.0, the party's Athol Trollip was incredibly honest when asked if ActionSA would now join the coalition. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads He summed up the situation for the party when he said: 'If the DA leaves the GNU [Government of National Unity], whether they get kicked out or they decide to leave, the opposition space is going to get crowded and we will have to take a strategic decision. Will we still make an impact in opposition, or must we look at perhaps going into government? But that depends on the GNU, whether they want us there or not. We will wait and see, but we will make a strategic decision where we can make the greatest impact.' advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads This revealed the options the party was dealing with in essence. But it also meant that when the ANC and the DA found each for Budget 3.0, ActionSA had to be content in the opposition benches, despite the fact voters would have known it considered joining the ANC. Build One South Africa, meanwhile, has appeared to struggle to gain traction with a consistent message. Its leader, Mmusi Maimane, has made regular media appearances and often provided principled opposition to government proposals. But it is hard to know if they have been able to really change government policy or win more votes. So far, it seems the coalition government has completely failed to make a difference to the lives of most people. Parties in opposition have failed too; they have not yet provided a credible alternative for voters. DM advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
ActionSA demands parliamentary inquiry into NPA, calls for Batohi's removal
ActionSA has become the latest political party to call for the removal of National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi, citing ongoing failures within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and alleged political interference in its operations. The party is demanding a full parliamentary inquiry into the institution's leadership, accountability, and effectiveness. At a press briefing on Saturday, ActionSA leaders expressed deep concern over what they described as a "crisis of credibility" facing the NPA. According to the party, public trust in the prosecuting authority has deteriorated sharply, particularly in the wake of persistent delays in high-profile prosecutions, limited progress in tackling corruption, and the continued perception of political shielding for powerful individuals. 'South Africans are losing faith in the very institution meant to uphold justice and the rule of law,' said ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont. 'We need to know the full extent to which political interference has infected the operations of the NPA. We believe this requires a transparent and independent parliamentary investigation. 'The party's demand follows similar concerns raised in recent months by civil society organisations, legal experts, and opposition parties over the NPA's perceived inaction on key corruption cases, many of them stemming from the revelations of the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
EFF's Julius Malema is ‘quietly' singing ‘Hallelujah hosanna' over Trump-Musk fallout
EFF leader Julius Malema is 'quietly enjoying' the dramatic fallout between US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, the two figures who have long criticised him over his outspoken rhetoric, radical political views, including the controversial "Kill the Boer" chant. The two had previously accused Malema of inciting violence against white farmers. The red berets have denounced the claim. The latest split between the former allies who were once bound by political interests appears to align with Malema's long-standing opposition to both. Trump, in a televised Oval Office tirade, said he was "very disappointed" in Musk after the tech billionaire criticised his spending bill. Musk fired back on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Trump of ingratitude, claiming credit for his 2024 win, and even referencing unverified claims linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein. The feud has political and economic fallout. Tesla shares dropped, Musk threatened to withdraw from a major US space programme, and Trump also hinted at pulling Musk's government contracts. The clash comes amid rising tensions between the US and South Africa. Tensions between the two countries have intensified since Trump's second term. Last month, during a high-level meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Trump administration in Washington, aimed at mending diplomatic relations between the two countries, Malema took centre stage. Trump played clips of Malema singing the 'Kill the boer' chant, which he argued incites violence against white farmers, but the red berets rubbished the claim. Trump called for Malema's arrest and denounced South Africa's land reform as 'land seizure.' IOL News previously reported that Malema has vowed to continue singing the controversial song despite strong criticism from Trump. The US also cut HIV/AIDS funding and granted refugee status to 49 white South Africans, claiming racial discrimination, which Pretoria has vehemently rejected. With Musk born in South Africa and now publicly clashing with Trump, Malema 'may' see this as more than political theatre, which is possibly a moment of vindication. Speaking with IOL News, Professor Theo Neethling, from the University of Free State's Department of Political Studies and Governance, said the fallout between Trump and Musk was 'long predictable.' 'The Trump-Musk fallout was long predictable, and even if the EFF delights in it, the fact remains that the United States conducts diplomatic relations with the South African government, not with the EFF…,' he said. 'The EFF is a relatively small party, as President Ramaphosa pointed out to Trump, and it is not relevant in South Africa's international relations.' Neethling emphasised that diplomatic relations are maintained between the US government and South African government, not with political outliers. 'The Trump administration also conducts its relations with the South African government, and what carries much more weight in the US than Elon Musk are the views and roles of top Republican voices like JD Vance, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. They will be decisive in the future US-South Africa relations.' Commenting on the developments of Trump and Musk clashing, Neethling said Malema will continue 'loudly in his rhetoric of African self-reliance,' but South Africa's Government of National Unity (GNU) understands the importance of maintaining relations with the US, which is the largest economy in the world. 'Around 600 American companies invest and do business here in South Africa and contribute to job creation,' he told IOL News. 'The Minister of Finance (Enoch Godongwana) also rightly pointed out recently that if the US does not want to do business with a country, it places that country on the periphery of international trade and investment.' According to Neethling, the Trump and Musk fallout will have no impact on future US and South Africa relations. 'Again, top Republican voices like JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and Ted Cruz are what matter, as well as those of senior officials in the White House.' Meanwhile, independent political analyst Goodenough Mashego also expressed his views on the Trump and Musk fallout, adding that Malema is probably 'enjoying' seeing the two clash. 'I think Julius Malema is really enjoying, is really reveling at what is happening because it absorbs him in a way to say, look, two liars are now fighting. You know, they say, do not disturb. Napoleon Bonaparte once said, don't disturb your enemy when he's making a mistake.' Mashego said he believes that Malema is currently not in any mood to disturb what he called 'enemies' as they make mistakes. 'I hope he doesn't tweet. I hope he just watches the show. He just enjoys reading Elon Musk and Donald Trump's Truth Social tweets. So that, you know, I think it's a marvel…' He added, 'think EFF, I think Julius Malema, he now knows that the person who's been whispering into Donald Trump's eye is no longer in the picture, which means the rhetoric from the part of the White House towards him is going to be limited because Trump doesn't have an original opinion.' 'All that he's saying is a megaphone. He's just saying what other people want him to say. So I think this is really the end of the Que de Bois charade that Donald Trump used to stage. And it's the end of that whole obsession by Donald Trump with Elon Musk, because going forward, with the Que de Bois, because going forward, whatever Elon Musk says relating to South Africa, I think one of the people is going to really try to ridicule it will be Donald Trump.' 'So they have two fools, two buffoons, really ridiculing each other,' Mashego added. He described the fallout between Trump and Trump as a Christmas for the EFF. 'Well, I don't think it really gives Malema a chance to push his message of self-reliance because self-reliance needs not be pushed through rhetoric. It needs to be pushed through doing.' IOL News has sent questions to the EFF, requesting their input on the latest development between Trump and Musk, and will be updated once received. [email protected] IOL Politics
