Chairperson, we humans are such a complicated species. We are gathered here today debating Freedom Day, some self-affirming and claiming heroism in the attainment of freedom, some throwing stones, some intellectualising it, some measuring whether we have progressed or have, in fact, regressed in our collective quest for freedom and democracy.
How have we as humanity arrived at this point? Of course, some would rather have others hastily forget how we got here, whilst some would rather have truckloads of guilt delivered on others' doorsteps. In the end, the pointing of fingers as well as attack or defence will yield no result at all.
Freedom is the natural state of every human. It is logical and instinctive. Its basic definition for me is self-possession, self-ownership. And who doesn't want that? Who deprives others of what they want for themselves?
In the words of Bernard Malamud:
The purpose of freedom is to create for others.
It is therefore fitting that, as we debate and commemorate days like this, we must also measure how free we are.
Freedom has many expressions. An opportunity to speak is an expression of freedom. Do we promote such expression when there are attempts to subjugate the media through legislation? Freedom should ideally lead to enhanced expressions of creativity and original thought, increased productivity, and an overall high quality of life. How have we created this for others when millions still don't have jobs, no decent houses, poor quality education, disgraceful health care?
It may perhaps be easy for us gathered here to take it for granted that we are all free, quoting pieces of legislation and abolishment of apartheid as policy.
A strong sense of the past is a good value upon which we must build, but, even more importantly, we need a strong sense of the future. What do we want our children to understand as meaning of freedom and democracy? For how long shall we always have to link expressions of freedom to apartheid? Do we continue to do that because it's much convenient instead of taking stock of our own strides?
This does not suggest in any way that apartheid is not to blame for the many ills we still see in our societies. Now is an opportune time to measure our own progress as people. If each of us as privileged individuals here believes ourselves to be free, how are we ensuring that others are also free? Thank you.