The e’Bosch Heritage Project organised a 30 years of democracy celebration at Voorgelegen in Dorp Street on Saturday 27 April.
The more people that attended, the more divergent were the views!
“Have we actually worked on the South African project during the last 30 years?” was the question. It was clear that a panel discussion was the best way to celebrate 30 years of democracy, so that everyone could have their say.
Four generations were invited – students, people still new in their professions or careers, the more seasoned career people and a white person born in District 6 during pre-apartheid times. Even a Peace Commissioner from 1994 attended the discussion.
Memories from the last 30 years were narrated, but also the last 70 years – from before 1961. Those present had to consider what they were glad about, sad about and what to do about the future – in e’Bosch language, our future heritage.
Many perspectives were shared. The positive reflections included the celebration of the fact that a diverse set of people in the room could listen to one another. Participating on the world stage in sport codes, gratitude for being able to lay the foundation for one’s children with the right focus and education on what freedom and democracy should be, celebrating access to equal opportunities and freely voicing one’s opinions and also diverse friendships and the power to work together were some of the other positives aired in the room.
What were they sad about? These opinions included the fact that people of the majority are now leading the country, but the question was asked why many of them are so selfish and full of corruption and why they do not act in a manner that benefits everyone. Violence and crime in our communities, instead of the right to live in a safe environment, the erosion of democracy by corruption and poverty as well as the struggle against crime, which all compromise equality, were mentioned, as was the gap between low, middle and upper classes, the struggle against poverty and the state of the education system.
So what do we do about the future? Grabbing the opportunities and making a difference was proposed, as well as empowering the youth and learning about the principles embodied in Freedom Day, to replicate them.
Investing in the young people 18 years and older, focusing on the youth to shift their mindset to current realities.
Furthermore it was proposed that a baseline for citizenship be created, which should include shared values about education, growth, development, respect, loyalty, reconciliation, gender equality, safety and security.
Be the change that you want to see in others and create opportunities for people. Focus on the youth and teach them about citizenship. Start with yourself and commit to being a good citizen. Get to know each other, join the committees and structures that want to make a difference, and act with leadership to break the vicious circle of crime, violence and drug abuse.
What is clear is that while having a dialogue on what a South African citizen should be, we are still not talking to each other, rather about each other. The more we engage with one another about our mutual interests and desires, the greater opportunity there is to get to know, appreciate and respect each other. Then we can begin solving the country’s problems together.
When you type in the three words that describe the Spirit of Ubuntu into Google translate – Muntu, Umuntu and Ngabantu – it is translated as “Man, Man, Man”.
We still have a lot to learn about each other.
V Dr Sias Mostert is the chairperson of the e’Bosch Heritage Project.
