21 Years demands overnight

The ongoing unrest in Mbekweni on the eve of Freedom Day is not how the local community and the residents of Drakenstein should commemorate 21 years of democracy. 

In order to deliver we need not only reconciliation but we have to redress the past. Unfortunately correcting 300 years of oppression by wanting 21 years demands overnight is a challenge and practically impossible. What should not be a challenge and be possible is working with all the parties in reaching a solution, within the legal framework.

Electrifying informal settlements is not a long term solution, nor is it a safe one. Issuing statements and not listening to the cries of the protesters will not dry those tears.

Damaging of public and private property should be condemned and it creates more problems than solutions. Funds that could have been spent on a better future for our children must now be spent to correct the wrongs of a few.

By “Celebrating the Beginning of the Third Decade of our Freedom through Accelerating Radical Economic Transformation” we will have to take hands as South Africans, admit our weaknesses and use our strengths for all our opportunities to make our democracy work.

Residents of Mbekweni have been protesting the past few days demanding all informal settlements are electrified. Some say a promise that was made to them. An IDP meeting was disrupted Wednesday evening and on Thursday evening a municipal building vandalised and the local train station set alight with burning tyres placed on the tracks.