By Misba Khan
Today, the 27th of April marks the date when South Africa held its first democratic election 26 years ago and gained its independence from the apartheid regime, which reigned for over 400 years, and saw the dawn of democracy. Each year – on this day – we commemorate the struggles and sacrifices of countless South Africans who paved the way for our nation’s eventual victory against an oppressive and racially discriminative government. Today marks the date when 19 million South Africans cast their vote regardless of their skin colour or gender, for the first time in South African history.
As per the usual norm, every year, Freedom Day is celebrated by South African citizens by taking a day off from work and spending time with loved ones with the retelling of countless stories about the days of the struggle by the older generations. This day is spent reflecting on our values as South Africans as embedded in our Constitution and admirable Bill of Rights (which scholars and human rights activists across the globe have acclaimed). Many celebrations are held across the country with South Africans gearing up and gathering in solidarity to honour the significance of this day while depicting a colourful picture of the diversity and unity that we have achieved as a nation.
However, as we all know, this year isn’t quite the same due to the abnormal situation that the world faces today. The coronavirus pandemic, and the multiple restrictions that accompany it, have cast a very gloomy shadow over the significance of this day. South Africans celebrate Freedom Day this year with gritted teeth and a sense of irony while under strict lockdown, and this seems to have snatched away much of our freedom and our reasons to celebrate along with it.
This year, instead of having a leisurely day off from work, we all already remain at home with days passing by in a blur with not much of a distinguishing line left between a work-day and a public holiday. Our government, like many across the globe, has been compelled into using its power and authority to limit much of our freedom in response to the threat that Covid-19 poses to the population at large. As of the 15th of March, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a state of disaster, and hence, the provisions of the Disaster Management Act have been invoked. Due to this, we, as South Africans, have had to accept stringent restrictions on our civil liberties and freedom.
This, for many South Africans, has been very difficult to bear. With the police and the South African Armed Forces patrolling our streets, making certain that no one is out-and-about without a valid reason, sometimes to the point of violence and brutality, is a sore sight and an uncomfortable reminiscent of the days before 1994, a painful reminder of the brutalities and unfairness of the apartheid government for those of us that can recall.
Today too, similar to days before we gained our independence, one needs a permit to move from a city or province to another, or even for the transportation of basic goods within our very own borders. Our right to freedom of movement has clearly been “revoked”.
To give you another example, congregations of people are now no longer allowed, effectively taking away our right to freedom of assembly. Students, too, feel the pain as their right to freely accessing education has been denied as students stay at home and grapple with e-learning.
Freedom of trade; freedom from all sorts of violence; freedom to privacy of communication; freedom of association; freedom of movement; the right to fair labour practices; the right to a healthy environment; the right to food, water, health care, and social security; the right to access to courts, etc. are just some of our basic human rights amongst many more that we no longer enjoy due to our current situation.
Of course, we have to acknowledge that the most important right is the right to life and our government is doing its utmost best to preserve that right for the vast majority of South Africans by going all out in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and mitigate the potentially deadly loss of human life that it can cause. Yet, one can’t help but lament on the many restrictions that it brings with which has essentially left us deprived of our hard-earned freedom.
While it may seem like our freedom has been taken away due to the lockdown restrictions and the ongoing fight against the coronavirus pandemic, let us not forget that our current situation is merely a temporary one and that we will, once again, be able to enjoy the liberties and privileges that we all cherish so much. In the meantime, we should remain steadfast in these trying times without losing hope and try to enjoy and celebrate Freedom Day regardless. This year, we celebrate solidarity and the triumph of the human spirit even during challenging times.
Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. Lord Bless Africa.
Featured image via FreePik.
