Born Free

from Elliott
No, I am not talking about the movie about lions in Kenya.

Instead, I am talking about those young people who were born in South Africa after 1994. Why 1994? The first democratic elections in South Africa and the end of Apartheid which end racial segregation and punitive race based laws. That event 20 years ago was celebrated this Monday on Freedom Day and there has been a great deal of conversation about the state of the formerly oppressed people twenty years later. Of course this year is a national election year so the majority party (ANC) is quick to put its spin on its accomplishments over the last 20 years. And the opposition can point out the disappointments.

The ‘born free’ generation shares a unique perspective. They did not live through the injustices of apartheid so seem to be able to focus fully on the future without the baggage of the past. Some that I speak to seem to be at odds with older family members saying , ‘Just move on, get beyond your anger, resentment, etc.’ They tend to be very open to relationships across old lines and many have moved to the cities creating a vibrant and inclusive culture.

At the same time, unemployment is huge among that age group and frustration is running high. Education in many areas has not improved to the degree necessary. Many in this ‘Born Free’ generation have received substandard educations which have not prepared them to fully take advantage of the reforms. At some point that realization and the sting of unemployment may very well create significant conflict and pit one generation against another.

As with all democratic cultures, it seems that change simply takes time. Perhaps patience and perseverance are the some of the most important characteristics of successful democracies!