South Africans recently went to the polls, marking 30 years since the nation’s first democratic election after decades of brutal apartheid rule. This report looks at how life has changed for some South Africans since that historic 1994 vote.
key points:
- Apartheid was a racist system that discriminated against non-white people in South Africa for many years.
- In 1994, South Africa held its first truly democratic election with people of all races allowed to vote.
- This brought hope for equality, justice, and a better life for millions of black South Africans.
Has that hope been fulfilled 30 years later? Let’s take a closer look.
Cynthia’s Story
Back in 1994, Cynthia MtBe was living in a squatter camp, scrounging for scraps to feed her seven children. She dreamed of:
- A nice house for her family
- Being treated the same as white people
Now 78 and blind, Cynthia has a house built by her children – but no running water or reliable electricity. Her son Amos was shot and can’t find work. Though better than before, life remains a struggle.
Poverty and Inequality Remain
While the racist apartheid laws ended, South Africa still has big problems with poverty and an unfair gap between rich and poor. Some key facts:
- The top 10% of people own 86% of the country’s wealth
- Over 30% of South Africans are unemployed
- Many live in shacks with no utilities like running water
The government promised houses and services but hasn’t fully delivered, due to corruption scandals. Impatient citizens feel their hopes for 1994 haven’t been met.
The Vote and The Future
In this election, the long-ruling ANC party claimed it has made progress on housing and services. But critics say much more needs to be done to uplift the poor, create jobs, and reduce inequality.
As one resident said: “The politicians all say ‘Vote for me’ during elections, but then our suffering continues.”
Will the next government finally bring the change and better life that was dreamed of in 1994? Only time will tell, but South Africa’s struggle for equality isn’t over yet.
The screenshot is taken from – aljazeera.com
