Do we have freedom of speech? In January, the SABC broadcast a television ad by First National Bank that evoked outrage from the ANC. It was later removed from television and FNB’s website after the ANC threatened FNB with a lawsuit.

 

The ad is of teenagers talking about the future of South Africa and making political comments at the historic Naledi High school. The school is significant because it is where the series of youth uprisings began on June 16, 1976. It features Kelly Baloyi, who speaks on behalf of South Africa’s youth and emphasises the importance of the youth in our country. She says, “There will be a day where the difficulties we see before us, the greed, mistrust and anger will be behind us. There will be a day where the violence and our indifferences to the violence will be a thing of the past; a day when the children of this land will no longer be slaves to their illiteracy but free to write their own destiny. There will be a day when we instead blaming each other we will build each other.”

 

In response, the ANC Youth League sent out a statement reproving the ad and the ANC itself and its Women’s League soon followed up. "The African National Congress respects the right of all citizens to make constructive criticisms with the intention to build and strengthen our young democracy," said ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu in a statement.

 

What does this tell us South Africans? Where is our country going? If what was being said in the ad wasn’t constructive criticism, what was it? Are we living in a country where government takes compliments only?
 

If we do not stand up and speak our mind, what difference will we make? Absolutely none!

 

The leaders of our country fought for our freedom and for the so-called ‘born-frees’, but are we really ‘free’ or are we just buying into another form of Apartheid?

 

We are brought up with certain ideals that we might live in a perfect society, a democracy where everyone is equal and free. The morals and values of our freedom fighters are being manipulated by the ruling party. It is time for change. This is not the era the ANC had in mind when they fought for freedom and the liberation of all South Africans.

 

Jacob Zuma says there are going to be drastic changes in our country. As they say: “Actions speak louder than words.”  

 

Here is the YouTube video to the controversial advertisement the ANC wanted withdrawn: