
A democratic govt doesn't have a deadline to fully honour Freedom Charter: ANC
As the governing party since 1994, the ANC has acknowledged that not all of the charter's ideals have been achieved, particularly economic transformation and land restitution.
On Thursday, the ANC held an event at the Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto, to commemorate the 70th anniversary since the adoption of the Freedom Charter.
The ANC said the democratic government has made great strides in improving the lives of all ordinary South Africans.
It said eight of the 10 principles in the charter have been achieved, including democratic elections, equal rights for all and state houses.
ANC Gauteng provincial co-ordinator Hope Papo said implementing the ideals of the Freedom Charter is a continuous process.
'By 1994, we had over 500 years of colonialism in South Africa of a special type and from 1948, apartheid. So, every five years we make an assessment, but to expect that a legacy of colonialism and apartheid of over 500 years can be eradicated in 30 years. It's correct to say there has to be a change, but we have started a transformation of South Africa.'
Papo said land restitution and transformation of the economy have been frustrated by the fact that the democratic government has to operate within the contours of the Constitution.
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IOL News
19 minutes ago
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'These formations, which mushroomed in the aftermath of the 2024 electoral outcomes, seek to construct a society that is the antithesis of the Freedom Charter,' Radebe said, criticising emerging political entities that 'mobilise on the basis of racial exclusion and chauvinism'. He cautioned that these groups aimed to 'reverse the gains of constitutional democracy' and 'restore elements of apartheid logic', particularly 'the pursuit of parliamentary supremacy'. 'They are building 'Black Parties' as a counterweight to the vision of non-racial unity,' he said, calling their actions 'an attempt to undo the progress we have made as a nation'. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Radebe's critique extended beyond domestic politics into foreign policy, where he condemned those 'who once spoke for the state', now supporting actions that threaten South Africa's dignity. 'The position of the Republic of South Africa, not any political party or former official, is the custodian of its foreign policy,' he emphasized. 'Silence is not neutrality—it is complicity. 'It is profoundly disturbing,' he continued, 'that some within our own country, who once occupied high office and bore the constitutional duty to speak on behalf of the Republic have chosen to undermine our principled foreign policy positions,' especially regarding the ongoing conflict in Western Sahara. 'We must state unequivocally: the position of the Republic of South Africa is to reaffirm unwavering solidarity with Western Sahara,' he said, condemning individuals who 'support rogue actions that undermine our principled foreign policy positions'. In his broader internal critique, Radebe condemned what he saw as a betrayal of revolutionary ideals. 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The collapse of local government is the collapse of legitimacy,' he emphasised, framing current shortcomings as a betrayal of revolutionary principles of service and justice. In economic terms, Radebe denounced the ongoing inequality entrenched by the legacy of apartheid. 'Wealth is still largely controlled by those who benefited under apartheid,' he said, condemning the continued influence of 'corruption, elite capture, and institutional failure'. He highlighted the plight of skilled professionals, noting: 'South African pilots, among the most skilled professionals in our society, must plead for fair wages from foreign shareholders who extract profits from our skies but invest little in our country.' He also slammed the devastating impact of illicit financial flows (IFFs), which 'bleed our continent and our country dry to the tune of R80 billion to R100bn annually,' according to estimates. 'These flows are orchestrated theft from the public purse. IFFs are acts of betrayal against the developmental aspirations of our people. 'We must adopt a binding anti-IFF strategy, strengthen the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), criminalise corporate tax avoidance, enhance cross-border transparency, and repatriate stolen assets through multilateral partnerships. It is not anti-business to demand accountability; it is pro-development.' The speech also addressed systemic inequalities and inefficiencies in public service, citing the 2024 Auditor-General's report, which revealed that 'more than 90% of our municipalities are in distress or failing', with water not flowing in months and waste uncollected. 'These failures are a breach of the Constitution,' Radebe said. 'Local government is the frontline of our democracy… its failure is a failure of the social contract.' He called for a new, inclusive national dialogue — 'a modern-day Kliptown' — to reshape South Africa's future based on participation and collective ownership. 'This dialogue must not be a technocratic conference for the privileged few. It must be a radical forum where the people speak and shape the future… much like the process that led to the Freedom Charter, the dialogue must reflect the radical democratic spirit of collective authorship, not elite consensus.' Radebe urged the South African youth to lead this effort: 'Today's youth must lead in reimagining these frontiers of freedom… They must not be left behind but be the drivers of our future.' In closing, Radebe advised: 'Democracy is not inherited; it is built, and rebuilt, by every generation that refuses to accept injustice as normal.' He reaffirmed his commitment to lifelong resistance to corruption and inequality, and warned: 'If we fail to confront this fiscal injustice, we surrender the economic sovereignty that our freedom demands.' His words serve both as a warning and an appeal: 'The time has come for us to choose: Will we allow the Freedom Charter's dream to fade into history, or will we seize it anew and forge a Just and free South Africa?' Get the real story on the go: Follow the Sunday Independent on WhatsApp.


The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
ConCourt declares appointment of 5 CGE commissioners invalid due to limited public participation
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IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
The shadows of human trafficking loom large in South Africa
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