Politics

27 Years: Saftu Says Mzansi Has Nothing to Celebrate on Freedom Day

Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 12:24 PM by Mxolisi Mngadi

- Saftu has expressed that South Africa has nothing to celebrate on Freedom Day, 27 April

- The DA's John Steenhuisen fired a shot at the ANC-led government and said his party doesn't steal and doesn't only empower their family members

- Sbu Zikode of Abahlali BaseMjondolo said 27 April is a fake Freedom Day because the majority of people in Mzansi are still poor after 27 years

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The South African Federation of Trade Unions has reportedly expressed that Mzansi has nothing to celebrate on Freedom Day, 27 April.

Saftu joined scores of people and political parties who have opened up about what the day means for them. Many used social media to share their thoughts as South Africa celebrates 27 years of democracy.

27 Years: Saftu Says Mzansi Has Nothing to Celebrate on Freedom Day — The DA's John Steenhuisen and Saftu have shared their thoughts about Freedom Day. Image: @Our_DA, @SAFTU_media
Source: Twitter

EWN reported that Saftu said apartheid exposed black people to many injustices such as poor education, cheap labour and unfair discrimination. The union also expressed that Mzansi's poorest, who rely on the ANC-led government, are still subjected to arrests and killings during protests.

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IOL News reported that Abahlali BaseMjondolo president Sbu Zikode said 27 April is fake freedom day. The publication reported that Zikode said for him the day means that all the gains, aspirations and the hopes that were promised as the country transformed to a democratic and free society have been lost.

"How can we celebrate freedom, when the majority of people in the country, mainly black, are still poor and landless."

Speaking at a Freedom Day rally, Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen took a jab at the ANC-led government. He said:

"We don’t steal. We don’t empower our friends and family. We don’t protect the corrupt. We simply do the basics of good governance, and we do it well. And this means that wherever the DA leads, people have a better chance of building a life of value."

Mzansi citizens took to Twitter to share their opinions on the important holiday on the South African calendar. Check out some of their comments below:

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@vlok_andre wrote:

"Today I will celebrate our freedom won at such awful expense. I will also be concerned about the freedoms that we are abusing, the freedoms that we are not valuing, the freedoms that we are at risk of losing, and I will remind myself how fragile these freedoms are."

@ThonisileG said:

"27 years of poverty while we watch our politicians enjoy the 27 years of benefits..."

@kamo_marven commented:

"The ANC will go to a Township and see them celebrating the #FreedomDay with poor people then they disappear and then next year they go and do it to a different Township."

@AdvoBarryRoux wrote:

"What is freedom when the unemployment rate has reached a stupendous level that is dumbfounded by the government itself, Haven't we voted enough? And what do we get in return? A live 3D battleground war between politicians who fight amongst themselves for themselves?"

In other news relating to politics, Briefly News reported that Simphiwe Dana has shared her thoughts on President Cyril Ramaphosa's term in office. The singer is not a fan of Ramaphosa's presidency.