A time for honest reflection on South Africa’s dream deferred

As South Africans gather to mark our 31st Freedom Day since the end of apartheid, we do so with a mixture of pride, pain, and even trepidation.

We do so with pride because, despite its imperfections, April 27, 1994, remains an indelible milestone in our country’s history — a day when millions cast aside the shackles of apartheid to claim their dignity and their right to choose their leaders. And we do so in pain because the promise of April 27 has been betrayed over the decades through missed opportunities, broken promises, corruption, and a general failure of leadership.

Looking back, I was 35 years old in 1994. Like so many at the time, I stood in one of the long queues that snaked for hours, my heart pounding in anticipation. I believed, as did millions of other South Africans, that our country was on the cusp of greatness.

I truly did, and it was. We had the world’s goodwill, a constitution that was the envy of many, thanks to its inclusive, progressive foundation, and a people united by the desire to build a just, prosperous, and inclusive society. But as I reflected yesterday, I feel compelled to ask: How far have we strayed from realising that vision?

Economic Dream Deferred

We all know that attaining political freedom was just the beginning. Even the architects of our democracy understood that true liberation would be incomplete without economic justice. Yet, three decades later, South Africa remains one of the most unequal societies on Earth. Unemployment, especially youth unemployment, is at crisis levels.

Millions of South Africans live in poverty, their dreams deferred by an economy that works for a few, including the politically connected who managed to position themselves at the forefront of transformative efforts, while excluding the many.

Let me be clear: the state our country finds itself in is not merely the result of global forces beyond our control or historic injustices that some would like to blame for all our troubles. It is the direct consequence of policy failures, toxic cadre deployment, and a state that has too often served the interests of politicians and their cronies rather than the people.

Corruption’s Tentacles Remain Embedded in the System

Corruption has become the defining feature of post-apartheid South Africa. It has given fuel to the negative predictions of Afro-sceptics who warned that a black-led South Africa would eventually implode, just like many failed states elsewhere on our continent, due to greed, unethical leadership, and a lack of vision among those entrusted to lead. Billions have been stolen from the public purse — money that should have been used to build schools, hospitals, public infrastructure, and to educate our nation.

The Zondo Commission — and similar commissions before it — laid bare the rot at the heart of our institutions, but accountability remains elusive. Too many implicated individuals walk free —including those serving as "lawmakers" in the corridors of parliament — their impunity a daily insult to the millions who struggle to survive.

This culture of corruption has not only drained our resources; it has eroded public trust in government and undermined the rule of law. It has turned hope into generalised cynicism and bred a generation that doubts whether honesty and hard work are still rewarded in our land.

Education was meant to serve as the foundation for equality and a ladder out of poverty, yet our schools remain deeply unequal, with township and rural children condemned to overcrowded classrooms, underqualified teachers, and a lack of basic resources.

The failure to fix our education system is perhaps the greatest betrayal of our children’s future. We have failed to equip them with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy, trapping millions in a cycle of dependency and despair.

Missed Opportunities for Growth and Innovation

Our country is blessed with abundant natural resources, a youthful population, and a strategic location. We could have become a continental powerhouse — a hub for innovation, manufacturing, and trade. Instead, we have chased away investment with policy uncertainty and endless red tape. Our infrastructure is crumbling, our state-owned enterprises are bankrupt, and many of our cities are plagued by decay, thanks to poor maintenance and mismanagement.

Let us not deceive ourselves: the world doesn’t owe us prosperity. We must earn it by creating an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive, small businesses are supported, and hard work is rewarded. Instead, we have stifled initiative and driven many of our best and brightest to seek opportunities elsewhere.

We Must Invest in Strong Social Cohesion

Freedom Day reminds us of where we come from as a nation, but it should also be a celebration of unity. Today, our society is more divided than ever. Race, class, and political affiliation are often used to sow discord and distract from the real issues we face. We forget that our struggle for freedom was rooted in solidarity, in the belief that South Africa belongs to all who live in it.

It is not enough to mourn what has been lost. We must act together — united in our diversity—to reclaim the promise of 1994. This must begin with honest, accountable leadership — leaders who serve the people, not themselves. We must end toxic cadre deployment and appoint the best people to run our institutions, regardless of their identity. We must restore the rule of law and ensure that those who steal from the public are prosecuted, no matter how connected or powerful they may be.

Corruption is our number one enemy and must be treated as such. Involvement in corruption must be career-ending, not a stepping stone to higher office. We must invest in teachers, infrastructure, and curricula that prepare our youth for the jobs of tomorrow.

We must unleash the potential of entrepreneurs by cutting red tape, protecting property rights, and opening our markets. Above all, we must rekindle the spirit of unity and shared purpose that defined our transition to democracy.

As someone who grew up during apartheid, built a business from the boot of a car, and more recently entered politics to serve as an Executive Mayor of a major South African city, I know that South Africans are resilient, resourceful, and generous. I have seen, time and again, communities come together to solve problems when the government has failed them. I have also seen young people defy the odds to build better lives for themselves and their families. All of this gives me hope in our potential as a nation, despite the challenges we face.

But I also know that we cannot afford another lost decade. The time for excuses is over. We owe it to the generation that voted in 1994 — and to those who will inherit this land—to build a South Africa that lives up to its promise.

Freedom is not a gift that comes without obligations. It cannot be taken for granted. It is a responsibility that must be renewed each day through our actions and the choices we make. As we mark Freedom Day in 2025, let us not do so with empty slogans, but with a renewed commitment to justice, accountability, and a determination by each one of us to play our part in building a better, more inclusive South Africa.

Let us also remember Nelson Mandela’s words: “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” Our journey is far from over. But with honest leadership, united purpose, and an unwavering belief in our individual and collective potential, we can still build the South Africa we dreamed of in 1994.

As we move further into this new era of multiparty politics, let us work together, as we did recently in removing the punitive VAT increase, to build a future that works for all.

* Herman Mashaba, ActionSA President