As South Africans prepared to celebrate Freedom Day this week, I was feeling less than optimistic about what’s going on in the country - and just how free we really are.
Freedom Day, celebrated on Wednesday April 27, marks the first democratic election in post-Apartheid South Africa in 1994.
And while I always believe in looking forward and staying focused on the future for the sake of our children, I must be honest - I’m scared for our country.
There’s something seriously wrong when tragedy - such as the recent fires in Langa and the flooding in KZN - strikes and people take advantage of the situation by stealing aid that is meant for the victims of these tragedies.
You might have heard about KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala who was accused of jumping the queue when a water tanker was diverted to his private residence. While he at firs denied it, he later apologised.
A true politician.
Politicians never know - until they are caught with their pants down and are forced to apologise.
I am not trying to scare anyone but simply urging you to wake up and smell the coffee. Those who are meant to lead us are misleading us.
So, as we celebrate Freedom Day, remember that we must also remain free to question - and we must never, ever give up our freedom.
There certainly was a lot of hyper around the day when Langa running club hosted its inaugural Run for Freedom around the township - the oldest in Cape Town. It was heartening to see people of different backgrounds enjoying themselves as they ran the streets of Langa. And while I was proud to be among them - both as runner and reporter - I was not proud of the poor living conditions many residents of Langa still endure, and how that was a reflection of what was going wrong in our country.
With people this poor and corrupt in the country, I’ve had to really ponder the concept of freedom. While it exists as an ideal, I don’t think people are really free to exercise their rights to the extent that they should be able to.
And as corruption, homelessness, crime and lawlessness continue to increase, fewer and fewer of us are able to really enjoy our liberties.
I have not, however, given up hope completely. I have hope that educated, sincere people will take the lead in our country. Maybe a new generation will come to change the face of politics. In the meantime, this freedom exists only for some of us.