Criticism and praise for the ANC government in Soweto

JOHANNESBURG - As South Africans recall what three decades of democracy means to them, the governing African National Congress (ANC) is again under sharp scrutiny as the country takes stock of gains and losses since 1994.

Some Soweto residents who cast their votes for the first time in 1994 have harshly criticised the party for failing to fulfill promises made during the dawn of democracy.

However, some believe that the ANC has significantly improved the lives of millions of people who were trapped below the poverty line during the apartheid era.

The long-lasting impact of the oppression and racial segregation that soweto residents faced during the apartheid era has featured prominently as elderly voters recall life before freedom.

Monakele Mpofu, who was among community members who rebelled against the apartheid regime, says load shedding and service delivery failures haven’t changed his perception of how the quality of life has improved since the advent of democracy.

"There are some challenges, which are fair, but the reality is we need to work as one unified people to deal with the problems that are affecting our country, one of them being the unemployment crisis."

However, a first-time voter who wishes to remain anonymous, claims he has not yet experienced the benefits of democracy.

He listed poverty, unemployment and the poor education system in the country as some of the ANC's government’s biggest failures.

"I think everyone who voted in 1994 is very disappointed as I am. But we still have hope that things will improve, so that’s why we will come out and vote."

Despite the difference of opinion, for many the day is all about remembering South Africa’s past and what it took to bring about freedom.