Ramaphosa’s Freedom Day speech: ‘No electricity, no freedom’

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his Freedom Day keynote address on 27 April in Matlosana near Klerksdorp, under the theme “Consolidating & Safeguarding Democratic Gains”.

Ramaphosa called for unity and renewed efforts to address South Africa’s challenges, including the ongoing load shedding.

Ramaphosa’s Freedom Day speech

The president acknowledged the progress made over the past 29 years, but also said a lot still needs to be done to address poverty, unemployment and inequality.

“At this time in particular, families across the country are experiencing great hardship and uncertainty,” he said.

No freedom under load shedding

Addressing South Africa’s power crisis, Ramaphosa said “freedom cannot be meaningful when South African homes and businesses are without electricity for several hours in a day”

He said government is using “every means” at their disposal to maintain and restore the failing power stations and to build new generating capacity “as a matter of the greatest urgency”.

Ramaphosa also expressed optimism that South Africa’s energy system would soon be “fundamentally transformed” and “more stable, more reliable, more affordable, and more sustainable”.

This, he said, was largely a result of new investments in power generation.

Violence and crime

President Ramaphosa also called for action on other key issues, including gender-based violence and crime.

He encouraged all South Africans – but especially the youth – to unite, to work together and build a better future for the country.

“As citizens, especially as young South Africans, let us all register to vote next year,” he said.

“We must exercise our civic duty to ensure there is no place in this country for those who want to steal, loot and plunder.”

Other ‘shock’ factors

Ramaphosa acknowledged the impact of the global financial crisis on South Africa.

This, he said, was exacerbated by Covid-19 (the “most severe global pandemic in over a century”) as well as political, social and economic shocks, and natural disasters.

Ramaphosa added: “These setbacks have made the devastating apartheid legacy of inequality worse.”

“We are now also counting the cost of years of under-investment in our electricity, water, rail and port infrastructure. We are feeling the damaging effects of state capture and corruption and concerted efforts to weaken our public institutions.”

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