Despite democracy, inequality remains deeply rooted in South Africa. Colonial-era systems and weak leadership keep many struggling, making true freedom feel like an illusion rather than reality.
South Africans celebrated Freedom Day on April 27, marking 31 years of freedom, but a nation once propelled by the dreams of liberation, finds itself in a paradox where democracy exists in name but fails in practice. The leadership that once embodied conviction and purpose has been replaced by individuals who merely perform the motions of governance without substance. The country’s political landscape reflects a deeper crisis, one rooted in the mechanisms of governmentality and the remnants of colonial power.
Governmentality and the Performance of Power
Scholar, Derek Hook, describes governmentality as a form of power that operates by managing perceptions rather than delivering structural change. By repeatedly acknowledging inequality and promising reforms that take time, leaders create the illusion of progress. This performance encourages citizens to self-regulate, internalise patience, believe change is underway and at times defer their demands of justice.
South African leaders lack the conviction necessary to drive transformative change. They have settled into a comfortable routine of political theatre; reciting the language of democracy and equality while presiding over systems that perpetuate inequality. Nowhere is this more painfully visible than in the education system.
Recent studies highlight persistent educational inequalities. The 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) revealed that well-resourced schools in affluent areas continue to outperform poorly resourced schools in marginalised communities. Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube acknowledged that, despite post-apartheid reforms, the education system remains highly unequal, with significant disparities in infrastructure, teacher absenteeism and learning outcomes.
A pattern exists where leaders publicly commit to addressing educational inequalities, but the lack of decisive action and effective implementation perpetuates the status quo.
The people, distracted by the spectacle of governance, remain trapped in a system designed to keep power in the hands of the privileged.
Frantz Fanon, one of the most influential thinkers on colonialism and decolonialism, provides critical insights into South Africa’s predicament. In Black Skin, White Masks and The Wretched of the Earth, Fanon explores how colonial rule systematically dehumanises the colonised, stripping them of agency and trapping them in a cycle of psychological inferiority.
Despite South Africa’s political independence, the psychological scars of colonialism continue to shape governance and societal structures. The black mind, conditioned by generations of oppression, has internalised the logic of colonial rule, accepting leadership that fails to challenge existing power dynamics.
The Contradictions of Freedom and Democracy
Freedom in South Africa is often celebrated through constitutional promises; rights to equality, dignity, and movement. Yet, the gap between legal freedom and lived experience is undeniable.
For instance, the right to freedom of expression, particularly in university spaces, is often suppressed by fear. Students hesitate to speak out, fearing institutional retaliation. Recent protests against financial exclusion or poor accommodation conditions are met with resistance, reinforcing the limits of supposed freedoms.
Self-censorship becomes a defence mechanism, a response to the unspoken threat of expulsion or punishment. This psychological fear sustains oppression, ensuring that power remains unchallenged.
As long as fear dictates action, true freedom will remain an illusion. If fear keeps us silent and institutions such as government and universities etc, prioritise self-preservation over real change, can we truly call this freedom?
FEATURED IMAGE: Lukholo Mazibuko, 2025 Wits Vuvuzela Journalist. Photo: File/Paul Bates.
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