'Right to vote didn't deliver economic freedom', says leader of civil society movement
South Africans have a right to vote but that has not given all of them the freedom to be self-determined, says academic, author and deputy chairperson of Defend Our Democracy Movement Rekgotsofetse Chikane.was speaking at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Annual Lecture in Johannesburg on Saturday and expressed how South Africans' rights to vote had failed to deliver equality and self-sustenance.
Chikane stated South Africa was designed to allow everyone to participate in the economy, but the majority remained as cheap labour or unemployed.We live in a country where economic growth creates wealth, but it doesn’t create jobs. Our democracy, while beautiful as it is, has frightening similarities to both colonialism and apartheid. We see this form of violent challenge every day in South Africa.
Chikane mentioned violence landed on the ears of politicians faster than petitions or a memorandum of demands. He said the protests were characterised by people’s acknowledgement that there was a need to reject the status quo of our society, reclaim their dignity and reassert a belief that they would no longer be treated as the ‘forgotten’ of society.We also see the response of our democratic state to these protests as violent.
Chikane stated whether this be a reformation of our electoral system, a complete restructuring of our understanding of participatory democracy, a closer understanding of how our economic system mimics colonial and apartheid logic or efforts to change the political culture of political parties, all efforts should be directed towards ensuring that we save what we can of the lost generation.
Other speakers at the event included leaders from various political parties, including the ANC, DA and Rise Mzansi.Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
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