In October 2020 at a time when we observed the 43rd
year of the oppressive actions taken against the media on October 19 1977 by
the former apartheid regime, it has become necessary to recall the tribute paid
to struggle journalists by the new democratic government 16 years ago.
This acknowledgement was made on February 26 2004 by none
other than Jacob Zuma, who served as Deputy President under President Thabo
Mbeki at that time.
Mr Zuma made the tribute to struggle journalists when
addressing the Cape Town Press Club in the city on the 10th
anniversary of South Africa attaining freedom and democracy in 1994.
CAPE TOWN PRESS CLUB
In his address, Mr Zuma acknowledged that journalists
in South Africa made an outstanding contribution in bringing about freedom and democracy
in the country.
There were many journalists, he said, who defied the
apartheid government’s internal security and censorship laws “to tell the truth
and expose the evils of apartheid”.
He said: “I mention this because this important historical
fact is not always highlighted when the apartheid story is told.
STRUGGLE JOURNALISTS
"We cannot, due to the limited time, mention all these outstanding men and women. We can note for example the contribution of the ‘Drum’ generation during the 1960s, such as Can Themba, Nat Nakasa, Henry Nxumalo, Casey Motsisi and others.
“We also acknowledge the courage of the generation that followed, from the 1970s onwards, such as Sophie Tema, Percy Qoboza, Sam Nzima, Peter Magubane, Jacques Paw, Tony Heard, Mono Badela, Subry Govender, Thami Mazwai, Don Mattera, Allister Sparks, Joe Thloloe, Jon Qwelane and many others.
“The dedication to freedom and democracy led others to establish alternative newspapers during the 80s, such as Anton Harber and colleagues with the Weekly Mail; Guy Berger, Rashid Seria and colleagues with South; Zwelakhe Sisulu with New Nation; Max du Preez with Vrye Weeblad as well as the founders of the New African newspaper; Saamstaan, Work In Progress and other progressive community publications.”
Mr Zuma went on to say that there was also the generation of journalists who bravely reported on the intense repression of the 1980s, including covering the conflicts engineered by the apartheid security structures in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Gaunteng, Free State and other areas."
JOURNALISTS NOW HAVE NO FEAR OF EXECUTING THEIR JOBS
Mr Zuma then went onto say the new democracy attained
in 1994 guaranteed media freedom that was enshrined in the country’s new
democratic constitution.
He said: “Journalists are now able to exercise their
right to freedom of expression without hindrance or fear.”
Mr Zuma was, however, of the view that full story of
the free South Africa was yet to be told, especially from the perspective of
the majority of South Africans.
“We hope that the 10th year celebrations
will encourage the media to honestly reflect on the achievements of the past 10
years – how we moved from the brink of civil war and total destruction, to
peace, harmony and stability.
“Once again, I am pleased to have had the opportunity
to share some thoughts on our activities with the Cape Town Press Club.
“I look forward to a continued fruitful relationship
and engagement between ourselves as government and the media, in the next
decade of freedom.”
NEW SOUTH AFRICA - A MIRACLE
Earlier in his speech to the Cape Town Press Club, Mr
Zuma spoke about the “miracle” of achieving freedom in South Africa and the socio-economic
progress and development that had been promoted since April 1994.
“Many people locally and internationally,” he said, “call
our transition to democracy a miracle”.
“Others call us a global project. They say so because
it was unthinkable before 1994, that the transition from apartheid to a
non-racial and democratic society would happen at all, or occur as smoothly as
it did.
“The 10th year anniversary celebrations
provide us with a wonderful opportunity to come to terms with this outstanding
achievement.
“What we must celebrate most of all, is the peace and
reconciliation that we achieved.
“This was, no doubt, made possible by the fact that
the seeds for reconciliation had been sown earlier, as the struggle against
apartheid was primarily a non-racial struggle, as clearly espoused in the
Freedom Charter.
“Reconciliation was the core principle during the
multiparty negotiations. It was expressed in practical terms in the inclusive
nature of the negotiation process, which allowed the representation of all
political parties, irrespective of their size or beliefs.
“It was further reflected in the manner in which the Interim
Constitution was crafted, particularly with regard to the constitutional
imperative to establish a Government of National Unity. The Truth and
Reconciliation Commission further enhanced the route towards reconciliation and
closure.
“We believe that the 10-year celebrations also
provide an opportunity to formally applaud the graciousness of the millions who
were ready to move on and forgive those who had caused them pain and suffering
over generations.
“We must also recognise those who have acknowledged
that they may have, by omission or commission, contributed to the suffering of
the majority during the period of apartheid rule.”
IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE
Mr Zuma added that when the ANC came into power in
1994, they had immediately embarked on the path to improving the lives of the
people.
“We are also using this period to review the progress
we have made in governance. When we moved into government in 1994, we hit the
ground running. People expected an immediate improvement in the quality of
their lives. To be able to deliver on expectations, we had to urgently
transform government, and fundamentally change the thinking, focus and the
manner in which things were done.
“The indicators point to steady progress across all
sectors over the last 10 years. Millions of people have gained access to
services of which they were deprived under apartheid, and macro-economic
stability has been achieved.
“Our country has gained recognition and respect
internationally, and we have also been actively involved in the drive to
rebuild our continent. The active continental involvement is informed by the
belief that South Africa cannot be an island of peace and development in the
midst of poverty and underdevelopment in Africa.
“A further consolidation of democracy will take place in April this year during the third general election. All systems are in place to ensure everything goes well, from a security and political level, and we do not anticipate any large-scale disturbances.”
All these were noble words on the 10th year of a non-racial democracy in South Africa. But, unfortunately, 16 years after this observation, the socio-economic situation in the country has taken a dramatic slide and many former activists now feel that the ANC is no longer the organisation they had fought and sacrificed their lives for. Politicians promoting racism to boost their profiles; millions of people are still on the margins of society; common and violent crime has forced ordinary law-abiding citizens to live in a state of siege in their own homes; and a better life for all people is still a dream for the majority. Ends – subrygovender@gmail.com Nov 4 2020
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