Tomorrow millions of South Africans will head to the polls for the country’s fourth democratic elections. These are widely anticipated to be the most exciting and interesting elections since 1994, partly because of the emergence of a new party, the Congress of the People (COPE). The ANC is still anticipated to win with a clear majority.
In Britain we have had no shortage of reports on the elections, some of which have been served with the same generous helping of cynicism normally reserved for our own electoral processes. Last week I spoke to a former anti apartheid activist who, so demoralised by what he had read about the elections, questioned whether his long hours outside South Africa House with a placard were really worth it. It was.
What seems to have faded from our memories quite rapidly are the significant achievements that South Africa has made against all the odds, rather than descending into the chaos and bloodshed predicted by many. Only 15 years ago a new South Africa emerged, from pariah state to Rainbow Nation; a country which not only needed to overcome the legacy of 50 years of apartheid but 350 years of colonialism, imperialism and repression.
Recently I had the opportunity to witness South Africa’s election fever in full flow, with every lamppost in the country adorned with at least one election poster. This is a society that far from being turned off by politics, is highly organised and politicised as a result of the time when so many were fighting against one of the greatest evils of our time.
No one can deny that South Africa still faces many challenges, particularly the poverty and inequality faced by so many. 40 per cent of the population are unemployed, South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world, crime rates remain extraordinarily high and despite significant progress there is a major gap in the provision of education and skills.
However, what has been achieved in the last 15 years should also be recognised and celebrated. South Africans have benefitted from the building of 2.3 million new homes, 85 per cent of the population now have access to safe water and 80 per cent have access to electricity. Health care is free for the most vulnerable in society and a pension and benefits system is in place.
As well as the measurable indicators of development, one of South Africa’s greatest achievements is the intangible but phenomenal sense of pride felt by so many of its people. This is a country whose people have finally gained their dignity, their rights are respected and needs are recognised after centuries of repression. South Africa is now a key player politically and economically in Africa. So when South Africa goes to the polls tomorrow lets recognise that there are still many challenges to overcome but celebrate its many achievements.