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As South Africa celebrates 30 years of freedom and democracy with much enthusiasm and optimism, Africa’s most developed economy faces a myriad of challenges. These include widening inequality as the country’s Black majority continues to live in poverty with an unemployment rate of more than 32%.
South Africa will mark 30 years of freedom today, April 27, as the country remembers the day in 1994 when millions cast their vote in South Africa’s first-ever democratic elections.
South Africans celebrate Freedom Day on April 27 each year, marking the end of the brutal system of racial discrimination known as apartheid. of apartheid. Many things have changed ever since. People got freedom; racial discrimination was eliminated. More schools and other types of educational institutions have sprung up to cater to the underprivileged.
However, as South Africa celebrates 30 years of freedom and democracy with much enthusiasm and optimism, Africa’s most developed economy faces a myriad of challenges. These include widening inequality as the country’s Black majority continues to live in poverty with an unemployment rate of more than 32%.
According to the country’s official statistics, more than 16 million South Africans rely on monthly welfare grants for survival. Public demonstrations on South African streets have become common as communities protest against the ruling African National Congress’ failure to deliver job opportunities and basic services like water and electricity.
An electricity crisis that has resulted in power blackouts that are devastating the country’s economy has added to the party’s woes as businesses and homes are sometimes forced to go without electricity for up to 12 hours a day.
Areas like the affluent Johannesburg suburb of Sandton, which hosts beautiful skyscrapers and luxurious homes, are an example of the economic success enjoyed by a minority of the country’s population.
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That has also adversely affected the ruling party’s prospects. For the first time since it came into power in 1994, polls are indicating that the ANC might receive less than 50% of the national vote, which would see it losing power if it does not manage to form a coalition with some smaller parties. On Saturday, President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver a Freedom Day message to the country during celebrations in the capital Pretoria.
