Opinion

Did freedom mean the same to all of us?Xolisile CopisoOur communities continue to be dissatisfied. They argue that the current dispensation has not provided what they desired.

What did black people and Africans in particular expect from liberation? they thought by now each child in the family would have their own room their education would be taken care of they would not wonder where their next meal would be coming from every one would wake up each morning and prepare a lunch box for work struggle for medication would be distant history transportation would be a non-issue.

Before 1994 the oppressed people interpreted freedom from different angles. Those that went into exile and went to the USSR came back saying that they had just witnessed heaven.

The propaganda machinery (especially the ANC's) was developed to ensure that the struggle for human dignity was seen as just.

Many people had to jump on the bandwagon to fight the white domination in South Africa.

The kind of society that was envisaged was a 'land of milk and honey' as Christians would put it.

The common propaganda which remains is that everybody would have access to decent housing – not the matchbox houses the apartheid regime had built.

There would be the freedom to occupy a house in a suburb without paying.

You had to undergo what was called Umngumshelo (political education caucus) to understand the course that you were engaged in.

Remember many people were not party to these sessions but participated in the struggle in different forms and formations.

This meant you just had an 'elite' who understood the journey and the destination.

The bulk of the oppressed fought for different struggles based on their position in society at the time even though the common enemy was indeed the apartheid regime.

Even though socialism seems to be foreign now and some comrades have developed amnesia, the fundamental basis for people to participate in the struggle was more than 'one man one vote'.

It was to access the mainstream economy and to see their lives change drastically.

Unfortunately the majority is told to be patient because Rome was not built in one day.

But we want to be told that we will do better than the Romans.

It would be a pity if South Africa turns out to be a replica of George Orwell's book, Animal Farm, where everyone was equal but some "were more equal than others"! However the trend of black economic empowerment makes you wonder if indeed freedom meant the same to all of us.Copiso is a Numsa organiser in the Queenstown local

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Freedom CharterYingwani Mashaba

A sacred piece of writing on which we lesser mortals once pinned hopeWritings that once promised we peasants land of milk and honeyA betrayal of its authors as it is phased out'Out-dated' so we are told by our learned comrades.

Mashaba is a worker at Hernic Ferrochrome, Madibeng

THE PROPOSED NATIONAL SCHOOL PLEDGEWe the youth of South AfricaRecognising the injustices of our past,honour those who suffered and sacrificed for justice and freedom.

We will respect and protect the dignity of each person,and stand up for justiceWe sincerely declare that we shall uphold the rights and values of our constitutionand promise to act in accordance with the duties and responsibilitiesthat flow from these rights.! KE E: / XARRA / / KENkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.

The school oath – reconstruct it!Manie Pienaar

The President has proposed an oath in all schools. The minister of education came up with one.

Does the minister believe this oath will restore respect and order, look after the well-being of our kids, bring back peace into our schools and improve learners' education results; empower learners to bring back positive contributions into our "crippled" communities?Surely not! Listen to interviews conducted by e-News there is little support for our minister.

As parents do we fully understand the concept of this proposed oath? What does it mean to me as a South African? What should we remember of our fallen and present heroes? Did the constitution work for us in the past, presently and in the future.

Speaking to some parents and learners I get the idea that they are not sure what the message wants to bring across to them.

Some say they do not care, others are totally clueless and some even believe it's just another political gain for the ANC.

I strongly believe the oath, if implemented, must be modified and reconstructed so that it appeals to the youth of today and tomorrow.

It must carry the blessing of parents and not the cream on top for the ruling party.

When our children do take the pledge, they must feel honoured, blessed and proud. So we, the youth of South Africa can proudly proclaim that we are the soul custodians of this oath.

We will eat, drink, sleep and walk this pledge.Minister of education please wake up and smell the morning breeze and the aroma of the morning brewed coffee.

Allow us as parents to teach our kids what's best for them.

The president surely did not mean you must use this opportunity to promote the ruling party, neither did he say you must construct it to the taste of the leadership.Pienaar is a shop steward at Guestro Forging in Port Elizabeth

(If you want to send your comments to the government on the School Pledge, e-mail to Mr Duncan Hindle at values@doe.gov.za by 14 March 2008 or fax to Numsa at 011-833 6330 and we will forward them to the government)

Kissing teens – here to stay?Pinkie Ramokoka

In 2007, national public figures supported the following laws or policies:

teenagers should not kiss in public teenagers at the age of 12 can have legal abortions without their parent's consent to use the ABC method during the ANC campaign.

What must we as parents do? We are confused. These are very contradicting stories. How do we hold moral standards in our own houses? How do parents teach their children what is wrong and what is right?

We can't do this any longer as parents because when we enforce discipline in our houses, our kids tell us that the law says this and that.

We no longer have fights to discipline our kids, thanks to the government.

Please government wake up and smell the roses. You are confusing the nation! Does this mean South Africans can have sex at an early age, fall pregnant and abort a baby, but not kiss?

How can they have sex and not kiss as it is this kiss that leads to sex?Government please get your ducks in a row.

Rather focus on preventing crime, corrupt officials, job creation, poverty, stability and bring peace in our country. Allow parents to teach their kids about the wrongs and rights.

Ramokoka is a shop steward at Kallies Panel Beaters in Rustenburg

Yingwani

Indigenous languages fading awayMirriam Mochochoko

Language is the most important communication tool in human society. South Africa is known as a rainbow nation because of its diverse cultures and languages.

A child, when growing up, speaks the language that is spoken by the family and the community. Then they learn other languages through interacting with people speaking different languages.

During the apartheid regime, people were divided according to their race. Black African society was further divided according to tribes.

Government institutions and resources were also allocated according to races.

Things changed after the first democratic elections where the new constitution of the country became effective.

This resulted in the scrapping of all discriminatory laws. This also brought into effect the declaration that there were 11 official languages in South Africa.

The scrapping of discrimination laws opened the doors to equal access to government institutions including schools.

This is the time when black African pupils started to flock to other races' schools because of the level or the quality of education provided in those schools.

Parents were not aware that taking their children to those schools would jeopardize their use of indigenous languages.

One finds these kids talking English everywhere.The government realising that indigenous languages are fading away, has now instructed schools to teach a dominant indigenous language in the province to try and bring back the dignity of indigenous languages.

Indigenous languages are very important to one’s life especially when performing rituals.

We cannot communicate with ancestors with any other foreign language except for the language they understand better.

Parents must instil the importance and value of indigenous languages in their children to prevent them from fading away.

Mochokoko is a Numsa administrator in the KwaZulu Natal region

Where did we go wrongDown the road of Africa?

Tamsanqa Jonas

Africa my beginning, my ending.I will die here 'cos I was born hereFriends and enemies you haveI also have 'cos I am an AfricanIf you are an enemy of Africa, You are my enemy as well.

If I get rich, I will get rich in Africa andIf I get poor, I will get poor in Africa.Behold because Africa is here to stay.

Down the road is the way we should goFor Africans to remain truly AfricansYour colour alone shows how much power, strength andPerseverance you have in you AfricaPoor or rich, I proudly remain an African.

Yours is to love not to hateYours is to lead not to be ledYours is to build not to destroyPlease Africa forgive but not forgetIn order for you to obtain your ultimate purpose and goals.

Nourish your youth today to secure a better tomorrow Africa.Listen in order to be an adviser to other continents.Listen to your children in Zimbabwe, Algeria, Nigeria and Somalia,When they all cry for your love, understanding and help.

Your natural resources are enjoyed by the foreign world while your Children are starving and dying because of hunger.

It's about time we asked: "Where did we go wrong?"Let's strive to go down the road as Africans.

Jonas works at GMSA, Port Elizabeth

Lament of a migrant workerYingwani Mashaba

Curse to thee the distance that estranges me from my loveStrips me companionless to dwell in the world of lonelinessYour photographs, my only sole solaceA remedy to resuscitate our love

It recuperates my affection and yearns for your touchYour envisaged stocky physique adorns the labyrinth of my memoryScenes of fondling, kissing and love-making echo in my mind.

Curse to thee the distance that keeps us apartDenying us our companionship and our loveLeaves me stranded for your companyAlienated from your tender words

My love, comeCome close to my temple and rekindle our vowsCome harness our love that keeps our marriage blossomingFor it to glitter forevermore.

Mashaba works at Hernic Ferrochrome in Brits

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