South Africa: 20 years of freedom The youth will not be easily manipulated during the forthcoming 5th democratic elections since 1994

(The late first president of free South Africa, Nelson Mandela, is the icon of the youth) By Subry Govender Over the past 20 years - ever since the dawn of freedom in April 1994 - South Africa has made tremendous progress in all sectors of life in the country. But at the same time, the country faces a number of challenges, especially poverty and rising unemployment. Inequality between the haves and have nots have also increased sharply. The country faces these challenges at a time when the ruling ANC and other political parties are embroiled in vicious electioneering for the 5th democratic general elections. How do the people, especially the youth, view the past 20 years of freedom and what are their views on the elections scheduled for May 7?

(Ms Nomzamo Zondi) "I can definitely attest to the fact that South Africa has been better since 1994," says 27-year-old Ms Nomzamo Zondi, a public relations consultant who lives in the district of Amotana, near Verulam, north of Durban. She added: "I read more of the history of what happened during the apartheid era, and if I compare to what we have now, I can see that we have more freedom of speech and rights as in the constitution. But at the same time we have challenges of inequality, poverty and unemployment and there's more to be done." Ms Zondi was only seven-years-old when South Africa attained its freedom 20 years ago. As a young girl and while still at school she lost her mother and elder sister to tuberculosis. A few years ago, another sister, younger than her, succumbed to a heart attack. Ms Zondi, barely in her teens, became the guardian of three nephews and one niece. But despite the hardships of being in charge of a child-headed home, she persevered with her studies and graduated in communications. Today she works as a social and community consultant in the Port Shepstone area of the province of KwaZulu-Natal - about 150 kilometres to the south of Durban. She believes the new South Africa has provided tremendous opportunities for the youth. The youth, therefore, must not sit back and wait for handouts but must create their own opportunities. "One thing I can say," she says, "is that as young people we also need to play a role". "We must not only be dependent. As young people what we yearn the most is economic freedom, so I think what we need to do is to play our role in the economic development by starting businesses. We must not only wait for assistance but we must commit ourselves to better our lives and the rest of the South Africans." Young Miss Zondi, like millions of South Africans, understands the political set up and would vote in the forthcoming elections - the fifth such general elections since 1994. In addition to the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality - she's also concerned about the run-away social evils of corruption and violent crime. "The late first president of our free South Africa, Baba Nelson Mandela is my icon," says Ms Zondi.

(Zwelithini Ncobela) Another young person who is also fully informed of the political situation is 24-year-old Zwelithini Ncobela, who works as a clerk and cashier in Durban. Coming from a rural background in Izingolweni near Port Shepstone, he wants to run a restaurant in a few years time to improve the lives of his family and siblings - two brothers and three sisters. He has no confidence in the current political leadership because of what he terms - politicians who enrich themselves, their families and friends. He wants to see changes after the elections. "I think the ANC, may be, can make something better by changing its leaders from top to bottom. I think the party for Malema is the best party for me now. I think he is the strong man. I believe in him. That man I think we all believe in him." Another young man I spoke to is 27-year-old Eddie Mthethwa who works as a receptionist at a gym in Durban although he has qualified as a logistics consultant. He comes from a family of two brothers, five sisters and his parents who live in an area called Inanda - north of Durban. He accepts that there have been positive changes in the country but he's concerned about the lack of opportunities for young qualified people like himself. He has very little faith in politicians. "The politicians," he says, "only use their positions to promote themselves and this is corruption". "we want corruption to be done away with." The young man has his own views on the forthcoming elections: "Ah let's just wait and see but I think Julius is promising but let's wait and see. He mustn't act like the other politicians."

(Snotty Mzuzephi Ntuli - a former activist) One of the people who has been an activist for freedom and democracy since his teens is 45-year-old Snotty Mzuzephi Ntuli. He joined the struggles while still at school as a member of the Congress of South African Students(COSAS) and since the early 1980s as an activist of the United Democratic Front(UDF). The father of five children, Ntuli hails from Osindisweni, near the north coast town of Verulam, about 30km from the city of Durban. He shares his humble homestead with two brothers, two sisters and his father. His mother passed away recently. He says he fought for freedom and democracy because "I wanted our African people and all other people to be free". "The ANC Government has done a lot for us over the past 20 years, giving us free education, free health services, and generally improving the lives of the people," he says. "But while we have made a lot of improvement I believe that those who have been nominated as councillors and members of parliament have forgotten about us. They are more concerned about improving their own lives and that of their families and friends. "I have still not lost my faith in the ANC because it is our organisation. I am only sad that after 20 years I am still working as a garage attendant and it seems that I am forgotten." Twenty years of freedom has certainly created a large section of the population - especially the youth - that is prepared to question the shortcomings and calling the powers that be to account for their actions. The youth, especially, appear not to be easily swayed or taken for granted by political parties and their leaders. They see most politicians as a bunch of greedy hogs and opportunists who want to fatten themselves at the expense of the masses. It seems the political parties - such as the main and ruling ANC, the Democratic Alliance or (DA), and Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters - will not be able to easily manipulate voters this time round.