Political parties say democratic SA has fallen short of the 1994 ideals

Political parties said that the current democratic South Africa has fallen short of the ideals of 1994.

Some parties said that the country’s freedoms have been surrendered to criminals, while others say true freedom cannot be reached while there are still high levels of crime, poverty and unemployment.

National Freedom Day commemorates the country’s first democratic elections in 1994.

The African National Congress (ANC) said that the 27th of April 1994 will be a day remembered as the culmination of human sacrifice, resilience and the beginning of a new, free South Africa.

However, Democratic Alliance (DA) Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said that freedom is not only the right to vote.

“For far too many South Africans, that freedom has been stolen by criminals, and too often it has been surrendered by a State that has become weak, compromised and slow.”

He said that it's also safe communities and being able to run businesses without fear, ideals that are now under attack.

"What does freedom really mean for the majority of our people when poverty and hunger are still rampant, and land is still in the hands of the minority?"

Meanwhile, UAT's national spokesperson Mighty Mabule said that "Freedom Day must be a day of reflection about the challenges that still persist."

Rise Mzansi believes that the upcoming local government elections present an opportunity for a new and urgent shape towards the fight for freedom.