“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Desmond Tutu
There are a few things that regardless of cultural background, that every South African can relate to. Whether it’s knowing what the sting of devil thorn feels like or how comforting the smell of custard can be. How out of context (and often) the word ‘shame’ is used – or how we all consider fourteen degrees Celsius to be an inhumane temperature.
Mostly, we all know how lucky we are to live in one of the most beautiful countries on Earth. Today, 24th of September, we celebrate Heritage Day – and all that comes with it.
Here in South Africa, we have something for everyone
Our flora and fauna, are enough to leave anyone dreamy-eyed. Our gastronomic patrimony will leave the pickiest eaters mouths watering. The spiritual and cultural wealth of our society will leave the indifferent wondering. And the way the youth is working to create a better future can only leave you inspired. South Africa, as we know it today, is a young developing country. A country that obtained political freedom and equality for all, only 24 years ago. It’s a country that in just over two decades has managed to exponentially better itself. South Africa is home to some of the greatest minds in the world – covering industries ranging from technology, innovative design, business, fitness, medicine, arts, music – to name a few.
These are the x ways in which life in South Africa has improved greatly, according to the IRR:
Economy
- The economy has grown by 85% in real terms since 1994, from R1.65 trillion to R3.06 trillion in 2015.
- Real GDP per capita is 33% higher, from R42,386 per person to R56,343 in 2015
- Disposable income has increased by 42%, from R23,686 to R33,660 in 2015.
- Inflation has dropped from 9% in 1994 to 4.6% in 2015.
- The budget deficit has decreased from 7.1% of GDP to 2.9% of GDP in 2015.
- Despite high unemployment, more people are taking part in the economy, with 58.1% market participation in 2015, up from only 47.7% in 1994.
- More than double the amount of black Africans are employed in 2015 than in 1994.
Living conditions
- There are fewer informal homes in 2015 than in 1994, with a 131.3% increase in formal homes.
- People with access to electricity has increased for cooking (228%), lighting (192%) and heating (58%) – while access to water has more than doubled (110%) and access to toilets has also increased significantly (151%).
- The number of low-income households (LSM 1-3) has decreased significantly – showing a move to higher income homes (LSM 4-7 and LSM 8-10).
- The middle class has increased significantly – almost doubling since 1994.
- Households living in extreme poverty has been reduced to 20% in 2015.
Health
- The rate of new HIV infections since the turn of the millennium has effectively halved, with 321,500 new infections in 2015, compared to 646,800 in 1999.
- The rate of stillbirths has declined by 22% since 2001.
- There are more professional nurses – and those enrolled to be nurses – than ever before. There has been a growth of 50% and 115% respectively between 1998 and 2015.
- There are 80% more GPs and 29% more specialists practicing in the public sector since 2000.
Crime and security
- South Africa’s murder rate has halved since 1994/95 – from a rate of 68 murders per 100,000 population, to 34 per 100,000 population in 2015.
“The list of socio-economic successes set out in this report is far from exhaustive. Rather, it lists examples of just some of the things that have gone right since 1994,” the IRR said.
“This makes the point that as we face the future, we must not lose sight of the fact that life in South Africa today is better than it was twenty years ago.”
Heritage day is a celebration of all our successes and all the lessons learned from our failures.
Heritage day is a remembrance of the past as well as a celebration of the future. It’s about acknowledging that our strength relies on unity.
The point about Heritage Day is to remind us that each and every one of us holds a promise- an unsaid agreement, to honor our history and to learn from it. A promise to create a better world for our children. A promise thousands died for.
Heritage day is a day of commemoration – it is a reminder, that on each and every day, we are lucky, as we are responsible for how we choose to deliver that promise. A promise of hope.
Written by Giada Bertola