As South Africa celebrates 20 years since its Constitution was signed into law, young people have been afforded an opportunity to reflect on and discuss this all-important document.
Civics Academy, in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, hosted a dialogue on the Constitution with around 100 young people. Civics Academy is a non-profit online education initiative that aims to promote and strengthen political knowledge and democratic values and skills, while inspiring civic activism.
During the dialogue, young people demonstrated a high level of engagement and understanding of the country’s Constitution and of its democratic system of government.
The event featured key personalities including author and Nelson Mandela Foundation trustee Mamphela Ramphele, activist Shaka Sisulu, writer Panashe Chigumadzi, journalist Ranjeni Munusamy, student activist Shaeera Kalla and Mandela’s great-grandson Luvuyo Mandela.
Opening the event, Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Sello Hatang took time to remind delegates about the importance of the coming week to the country, a week during which the country commemorates Solomon Mahlangu and Chris Hani who died for our democracy.
Hatang also spoke about the significance of the meeting venue, saying: “You are sitting in a very special place. This room is very special. It was built in 2002 when it was used as a post-presidential office [by] Nelson Mandela.”
“One of the things that has come up in recent times has been the questioning of Mandela’s legacy. That legacy speaks for itself. We decided as the Foundation not to defend it because it speaks for itself.”
Hatang encouraged young people not to shy away from asking critical questions. “We are here to say you are here to tear it apart. Ask questions, ask difficult questions of that legacy. But while you do so also say, “What can I do to reimagine South Africa. In other words, as you tear it apart don’t insult it and say he was a sellout, but say where he fell short how do I contribute to the country?” he said.
Author and radio talk show host Onkgopotse JJ Tabane was the guest speaker and he gave an inspiring speech to young people. He urged them to give thought to the country’s constitution and Mandela’s legacy. He asked, “What do you want to become? Do you want to be somebody who’s going to defend the Constitution or somebody who’s going to burn it down?”
In his speech Tabane encouraged young people to get to know the country’s history and to learn about the African continent, adding that “South Africa is not an island.” He also took everyone down memory lane, to the morning of the student uprising on 16 June 1976.
He recalled an eerie morning silence disturbed only by the chanting of struggle songs by thousands of young people in protest against the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools. They were met with rubber bullets, teargas and even death. “These and many others like them sacrificed their lives, not their free time, so that you and I can today, enjoy freedom.”
Tabane emphasised the need to learn the country’s history so that mistakes of the past are not repeated. He said learning the history will also help to honour those who made sacrifices for this country. He encouraged young people to read the Constitution. “Since 1994 different men and women have laid a good foundation for our country, including the writing of this Constitution. Respect them by building on this Constitution by understanding what it is to be an active and responsible citizen,” he said.
Tabane used the vowels: a, e, i, o, u to drive home his message to the youth:
A is for awareness – you have to know what is going on.
E is for education – there’s no substitute for education. “Material things will disappear. The real measure of success is education and nobody can take it away,” says Tabane.
I is for involvement – “Are you involved in your community?” he asked young people.
O is for obligations – He said: “Freedom is not free, it comes with obligations.”
U is for ubuntu – ubuntu simply means having manners.
Ramphele was impressed by the energy of the young people, saying she shared the same feelings as theirs when she became an activist at the age of 19. “So today I feel privileged that here again I stand as a bridge between my generation and you who own this present,” she told them.
A mock debate exploring the Constitution and issues related to it followed the speeches. Delegates were divided into four groups. Under the guidance of facilitators, they prepared their statements in response to the question: Does the South African Constitution enable or hinder civil liberties?
This fostered a deeper understanding of the Constitution and allowed the groups to articulate and defend their positions during the debate. Four young people from each group debated while the rest formed part of the audience. The debate session was judged by Mamphela Ramphele, Luvuyo Mandela, Ranjeni Munusamy, Panashe Chigumadzi and Shaeera Kalla.
The judges were impressed by the young people’s level of engagement and understanding of the Constitution.
Ramphela described the opportunity of having young people dialogue with one another as a dream come true. She said she’d always felt that the country was underinvesting in young people. “You cannot have a strong Constitutional democracy without civic education. These young people have shown, with little investment in them, what they are able to do,” she said.
Munusamy says she was impressed by how well the young people understood the Constitution. She said, “It’s extremely inspiring to have this level of understanding of the Constitution and constitutional issues, so that they can relate it to the current context.”
Luvuyo Mandela said the group of young people showed that the youth was far from being apathetic or void of solutions. He said they were passionate about the country and where they want it to be. He added, “I absolutely love what Civics Academy is doing and absolutely love how they are engaging [with] young people.”
Chigumadzi, who is also a young student, said it was exciting to be able to engage with fellow young people on issues around the Constitution. She said many young people don’t get to engage on the Constitution beyond the surface level, slogans, hashtags and beyond what journalists have digested for us.
“So it’s been really great to see the way in which my fellow peers have challenged me in the ways that they’ve really gone into detail looking at the Constitution, what it means on an ideological level and [on a] practical level. So I’m really excited to see where this is going to go,” said Chigumadzi.
Hatang said this gives one hope that we are on the right track. “With young people who are so committed to the dream, I don’t have doubt in my mind that we will have the country that they are talking about. So we are hopeful that they won’t just stop here.”
Civics Academy’s Lerato Motaung said: “Think about what it is that you are going to do in your own communities.” She said this was the first of many similar dialogues that would be taking place with young people.
Wrapping up the event, Luvuyo Mandela advised the young people to keep up the momentum they had started with the dialogue on the Constitution. “It’s now your responsibility to act,” said Mandela.
What became evident during the dialogue is that young people are not as ignorant as some may choose to believe. They demonstrated that they are willing to play their part as active citizens to help develop the country.
The country’s first democratically elected President, Nelson Mandela, signed South Africa’s Constitution into law on 18 December 1996.
The youth speak
After Tabane’s inspiring address, young people were given an opportunity to share what they love about South Africa. Responses ranged from the Constitution, to freedom of speech, to the languages, music, food, people and natural resources.
- “What I love about this wonderful country of ours is that we have freedom of speech.” – Kabo Mokgatle
- “What I love about South Africa is that we have multiple languages. I think we are the only country in the whole world that has eleven official languages.” – Simphiwe Ndlovu
- “One of the things that I love most is that I can go get a pizza or spatlo(kota). The ability to have that choice between traditional and modern-day foods is amazing.” – Phenyo Dantjie
- “What I love is that I can walk in any street at any time without fearing being discriminated against. I also love the fact that I can access any information.” – Lusanda Manzingana
- “What I love about South Africa is that people can convert something that used to be associated with slavery and apartheid and make it beautiful. The way people dress, speak, dance ... house music.” – Shakeel Garda
- “I love the way we protest in South Africa.” – Azra Karim
For many young people the dialogue was an eye-opener. They were also able to inspire one another through their interaction. They left the dialogue with a better understanding of the Constitution and the responsibility they have in ensuring that South Africa prospers.
- “Listening to input from young people, some of them from high school, made me realise that we are actually moving in the right direction as a country. Having different views was very informative. I’m glad I came from the Vaal.” – Mthokozisi Gumede
- “I feel like young people are very informed. It’s good to see that even the youngest are very informed as to what is going on. Growing up, who knows what we can do to the Constitution and the country in general.” – Tshegofatso Khutsoane
- “It has opened up my mind to [understanding] what exactly the Constitution is saying. It has made me more knowledgeable.” – Kago Mathibe
- “We need to have such conversations in order for us to heal as a nation.” – Ofentse Miya
- “It opened my eyes. While some people may think we are in a country that is doomed, this actually changed my perspective. I now know that we have great young leaders.” – Letlotlo Morule