Indifference to national holidays is an insult to democracy

While poor people, mostly black Africans, burst into song and wave bright and colourful national flags that flap in the wind to celebrate national holidays like Human Rights Day, for instance, a sense of betrayal and shame should shrivel up the souls of many people, especially the black elite and white folks. They show lack of patriotism, gratitude and appreciation for what has happened in the last 14 years. Let me tell you why.

As the black “want-mores” and white “haves” go around malls swiping credit cards or just lounging in air-conditioned homes or hosting private braais and parties with expensive food and booze flowing, their minds do not take them back to the road travelled to get us where we are and where we come from.

After only 14 years of freedom and democracy, where we come from is a pretty long way. Today the white “haves” and black “want-mores” have forgotten about the mounting protests and consumer boycotts that used to block streets and put an abrupt halt to going shop at malls.

In fact, not too long ago, it was considered treason to stand up for human rights and protest against the carrying of passes which denied the majority freedom of movement and limited their opportunities to employment. More than 69 black men, women and children were shot in the back in Sharpeville for daring to challenge political authority to treat them as human beings who were equal to their white counterparts.

White “haves” pleaded ignorance about apartheid police brutality and pretended that no heinous crimes were committed in their name.

Where we come from is a tiny matter compared to where we are after only 14 years of democracy and freedom. Yet, when there are national holidays like Human Rights Day or Freedom Day to highlight and celebrate the long way we have travelled, people would rather stay at home and pretend that they do not appreciate what has been offered to them on a platter.

It now goes without notice that following the Sharpeville massacre, thousands of people were jailed, exiled and killed for us to have Human Rights Day and Freedom Day.

Far too many of our white “haves” and their black “want-mores” are lying to themselves. The democratic right to freedom of choice does not mean to be ungrateful and lack a spirit of patriotism. We need to do something to change this! It is an insult to hard won democracy and undermines nation-building.

Not too long ago, the late Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe resigned from his bourgeoisie job as an African lecturer at Wits University to lead hundreds of freedom loving people who refused to resign themselves to apartheid oppression and denial of liberty.

He turned his back on a black “want more” nice and comfortable life because he truly believed that freedom for some is freedom for none because all men are born equal. He was put in solitary confinement – away from “Mr Nice,” Nelson Mandela et al – and considered the “most dangerous man” by BJ Vorster’s government for living and working human rights, freedom and democracy.

Hundreds of workers around the country left the shop floor to join at the risk of being fired by unsympathetic bosses who were only interested in profit.

This “march against passes” was with the hope that one day people will appreciate a peaceful transition to democracy and freedom. The fight was for a people’s government that would promote a culture of human rights and celebrate a meaningful Freedom Day to rally the people around the common vision of one, undivided, non-racist and non-sexist country.

Alas that we have far too many people who pursue the “I am free” mentality which allows them to do as they like even if that violates the spirit of nation building. They do not bother to join hands with the “have-nots” who are still waiting for freedom and democracy to “deliver” them houses, clinics, schools and human dignity.

Far too many of our black “want-mores” and white “haves” are fooling themselves. It is not true that freedom and democracy gives you the right to be ungrateful of the sacrifices made and lacking in a spirit of patriotism to build a new nation.

We need to remind ourselves that where we come from is nothing compared to where we still have to go: a non-racial, non-sexist and united society. But, of course, the road is still too long. Far too few are working diligently, patiently and with commitment to celebrate Human Rights Day and Freedom Day.

Unfortunately, one is describing not just oppositional white “haves” who take everything that was saved for granted. The majority that undermines political holidays are the black bourgeoisie who believe that they have not benefited from this government. For these black “want-mores”, Human Rights Day and Freedom Day do not deserve celebration.

Instead, just like their role model white “haves” that they have always looked up to for leadership and standards, they dismiss these important milestones in our calendar as ANC gatherings that should only be celebrated by those who benefit from their political connections.

But there is no doubt that Human Rights Day and Freedom Day means more to people who have not lost their privileges in the last 14 years and those who have managed to be uplifted from gloom and poverty through the policies like black economic empowerment and affirmative action of this government.

What has happened to this beautiful country when its people do not come forth to join this democratic government in celebration of a new culture of human rights, freedom and democracy through song and dance and planes flying in the air?

Far too many of our white “haves” and their black “want-mores” are deceiving themselves. It is a lie that democratic freedom gives one the right to be unpatriotic and lack a sense of appreciation for what has been achieved in the last 14 years.

We need new patriots who will stop using national holidays to go shopping and hosting private functions to gloat about what they are not doing to promote a culture of human rights and celebration of freedom in this democracy. The ungratefulness and lack of patriotism for what has been achieved in the last 14 years is enough to fill one’s heart with shame.

As the hungry, homeless and poor take to free busses to venues addressed by political visionaries whose struggles have got us where we are, let each and everyone of us ask ourselves: How am I using national holidays to contribute to the spirit of a new country and building a new nation?

Unfortunately, it remains the task of the poor African “have-nots” and the marginalised to be united in arduous work and sacrifice, enduring suffering to lift constitutional principles and liberty for others to enjoy today. In fact, it is the lowest beneficiaries of what has been achieved in the last 14 years are the ones who are helping this government keep its dream of creating a more just and equal society alive.

Where are the white “haves” and the black “want-mores?” Rather, they indulge in buying sprees at shopping malls only to return to their homes in the suburbs to selfishly enjoy their prosperity.

We need to be agents of the change that we want to see. Let us allow our gratitude, appreciation and patriotism to shine in behavior that shows that we are all serious about the business of building a new country.

Lack of participation in the celebration of Human Rights Day and Freedom Day, for instance, by those who have been blessed with privileges leaves much to be desired. People need strengthen national unity and spirit of social cohesion by rallying around the government efforts to give hope to the “have-nots”.

Those who come from a poor working class background, those who have lifted themselves up by their own boot straps and benefited somewhat from freedom and democracy, the black ‘want-mores’ should be the first to shout from the stadium roof tops: “South Africa is the greatest place to be on earth”.

But the best contribution to national reconciliation and reconstruction will only begin to happen when white “haves” embrace the national holidays, learn the background to how they came to be, show appreciation for how far we have come and contribute to giving meaning and relevance to Human Rights Day and Freedom Day. They have the resources to make these days feed hope and optimism to the mind and soul of the “have not”.

While there is no way that the government can dictate to people not to go swiping their credits cards at malls and host private functions at their homes where food and booze flows, we need to keep our eyes on the prize: the creation of a new human rights culture that celebrates freedom.

We have to keep the vision of a new nation in our hearts and minds. Too much democracy and freedom has not only spoilt people by allowing them to do as they please but seems to encourage lack of patriotism.

There is an urgent need for all of us not to promote racial and political division. Perhaps the government should consider to proscribe the closing down of all shops if doing business on national holidays contradicts the principles exalted by the founding fathers of our world class constitution. This develpment might dangerously nudge the indifferent classes to the spirit of a “united South Africa” rather than a selfish “free for all” where everyone undermines the effort to celebrate freedom and promote a culture of human rights.

As people prepare not to attend Human Rights Day and Freedom Day festivities, may we all ask ourselves: am I an agent of the transformation towards non-racism, non-sexism and unity among all the people of this beautiful country?

Far too many black “want-mores” and white “haves” are lying to themselves. The democratic right to freedom of choice does not mean that you insult the meaning of Human Rights Day and Freedom Day by only swiping your credit card at a shopping mall.

Let us all do what we can to make this a better country! The first step towards that is … treating our national holidays with the respect and dignity they deserve.