Hon House Chair and His Excellency, the Deputy President - whom I thought was around - and members of the House, Freedom Day marks an opportunity to reflect on our development as a democracy and to celebrate our achievements.
Reflecting on this at the first anniversary of South Africa's nonracial elections, President Mandela said:
As dawn ushered in this day, the 27th of April 1995, few of us could suppress the welling of emotion, as we were reminded of the terrible past from which we come as a nation; the great possibilities that we now have; and the bright future that beckons us ... The ultimate goal of a better life has yet to be realised.
Postapartheid South Africa is faced by a mammoth task to consolidate democracy, to lessen the harsh legacies of segregation and apartheid and to improve the day-to-day lives of the people of South Africa. Large strides have been taken regarding these challenges. The country has gained respect across the world, where before it was a pariah. Major political, social and economic transformations have occurred and the Constitution has proved to be a success and has won wide acclaim. The government has extended the reach of critical services to millions of people previously denied access to them.
However, despite these substantial gains, the country still faces deep economic inequalities and acute problems such as a high rate of unemployment; homelessness; violent crime; slow progress on land reform; a dysfunctional education system; a burgeoning health crisis; and a growing concern about corruption and nepotism.
Today, yet another debate ensues to mark Freedom Day. Unfortunately, rhetoric rather than commitment to action will win the day again. To many people this debate is unknown, and those who do know about it, consider it meaningless in terms of their everyday lives and their struggles on a daily basis.
Freedom is intrinsically linked to democracy. To ensure this, the responsibilities of the government and the people are paramount. The government has the responsibility to ensure that freedom from poverty, violence, disease, corruption and nepotism is reached. It also has the responsibility to provide education, facilitate employment. The people have the freedom to challenge the status quo, if necessary, by having the freedoms of speech, of association, of communication and many others.
If this government is genuinely sincere about consolidating democracy, then all of us involved in the democratic process should resolve to make consultation, transparency and accountability to the people the central pillars of governance.
True patriots in a democracy understand the necessity to defend the country against the abuse of power from any organ of state. Thus true patriots will declare that: Secrecy and democracy do not mix. They will also declare that tenders for friends and relatives must never occur; they will declare nepotism as an anathema. Irregular and fruitless expenditure must never be tolerated; corruption must never be countenanced; the integrity of the media must not be compromised; expertise must not be subjected to political expediency through political appointments.
When these characterise the governance of society, people withdraw from the election process, as it is seen as nothing more than an empty ritual.
Samuel Adams declared that:
A true patriot ... will, as far as he is able, keep the attention of his fellow citizens awake to their grievances; and not suffer them to be addressed, till the causes of their just complaints are removed.
Speaker, to consolidate democracy the following elements are essential: The rule of law and responsive governance; free and fair elections; socioeconomic needs and delivery protection of human rights; civil and political liberties; the existence of an active civil society; and supremacy of the Constitution. These are some of the fundamental areas that we should always bare in mind.
Do we have such patriots amongst us to ensure the consolidation of democracy? Are we prepared to take on the democratic responsibility that ensures that the undermining of human rights and freedom of the South African people are identified and addressed appropriately? As representatives of the people and members of this House, it is the responsibility of all of us as members of the National Assembly to be aware of the crimes committed under the banner of our South African democracy.
Atrocities like the abuse of women and children; the murder of Andries Tatane; and the massacre at Marikana are stark examples of such crimes that require the moral and political will of all of us. As members of this House, we must ensure that justice is done and such events do not occur.
Freedom Day affords us the opportunity to make a pledge towards fighting against the erosion of the democratic rights of the people of South Africa and renewing our loyalty to the country and commitment to its future.
We must always say that under the new banner of a democratic South Africa, none of the atrocities must ever be perpetrated. I thank you. [Applause.]