June 16 marks Youth Day in South Africa. 20 years ago, Youth Day would have probably been very different from today, even more so 10 years ago. As we move further away in time from the hard fought gains of the Anti-apartheid struggle, and 1994, the more evident it seems that the real benefactors of the new South Africa are certainly not the majority of its 5 Million or so unemployed youth of color.
The real difference between 1976 and 2020 is that we are confronted, not so much with a racial struggle, but one of class, whereby economic inequality sees itself increasing within all races. It is disturbing to think that in 5 years time, Youth Day may come to be commemorated as “War on Youth” Day. As dramatic as that may seem, that may be true if South Africa continues on its trajectory of colossal unemployment, stagflation and little to no economic growth.
The impressive and alluring multi-party democratic system of politics has done not much better to secure a better future for the youth than the Totalitarian regime had done in 1976, and as long as there is no real plan of either generation and/or redistribution of wealth within the pockets of a shadow elite, the Youth will continue to look for answers outside of conventional politics. The answer may lie in the subtle growth of civic republicanism, which has recently won a very noteworthy victory in the form of Amendments to unconstitutional sections of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998. Institutions such as the Chapter 9 institutions may probably continue to play an important role as guardians of the civic virtues, which all South African’s regardless of creed and color are desperately yearning for.
It is therefore important that these institutions, which can be compared to Socrates in the Ancient Athenian setting, as being crucial in the incorruptibility, rather than corruptibility of its Youth. The Azanian Youth, however, should also be encouraged to examine its situation as a collective, and realize the unfulfilled powers of collective action, as when there is nobody else there to save you, it is prudent to try to gallantly save your self. The Cancel Culture, Culture wars, and a general distrust of the relationship between Commerce and Government may be the foundational values upon which a young generation with so much potential and undiscovered love of humanity can begin to dismantle the shortcomings of a Faustian Republic.
The Contrarian Aquarian Platform 