Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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The 27th April is one of those public holidays I will never forget. I do know that I did not vote on 27 April 1994, but waited until the next day (there were 2 days of voting) when I thought it would be a little bit quieter, but it was not, to vote in South Africa’s first free democratic elections. At that time, I very happily put my cross next to the name of the ANC and the photograph of Nelson Mandela. I was determined that I was not going to live in a country where I felt there was us and them and that I was part of some unhappy minority. I think that the ANC also came out with all the correct policies – for example they got rid of the death penalty and they said of course you did not need Afrikaans to be an attorney – and why for that matter did you need Latin – all things that were insisted upon by the apartheid National Party government, whose real goal was of course to stop more black people studying law. Imagine that you had to have as your home language Xhosa or Zulu and for you to become an attorney you had to pass an English University course in English as well as Afrikaans which is now your third language as well as one year in Latin! Can you see how much more difficult they made it for black people to become attorneys in that particular time? Obviously, you don’t want many attorneys, especially from people you are oppressing, because they will raise too many questions and so it really was a very manipulative, cleverly thought out disgusting system in every way and I was quite happy to vote for the ANC to bring an end to that rather than other parties. I am surprised that more children don’t ask their parents why they voted for the National Party during all those years and supported the apartheid regime or why the Law Society, for example, struck Nelson Mandela off as an attorney. All these things seem to have been conveniently and politely forgotten.
In any event, it is now 24 years since we voted and it is one of those public holidays I hope we never forget and how much has changed during that time – from the hope of Nelson Mandela to the absolute despair of living under Jacob Zuma. Things are looking good again and it is reflected in the Rand and I sincerely believe that South Africa is in a much better place now than it was at any time in the last 7 or 8 years. It is not quite the euphoria and amazement of 1994, but it is a damn sight better than anything we’ve had since 2010!
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Thursday 26-Apr-18
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Comments
Natasha said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-18 09:09 AM
I cant remember much about that time as i was only 1 but i think its better than it was a few years back. I also think it is unfair that they try to make things more difficult for blacks to become a lawyer.Everyone as the right to become what they want to become
Jadine E said:
on Monday 14-May-18 02:26 PM
It has been a milestone till now but still a long way to go.
Joyce said:
on Monday 07-May-18 11:29 AM
I think 27 April 1994 was a special day in South Africa.
Jolene said:
on Friday 04-May-18 04:01 PM
I was only 3 years old in 1994 but I can just imagine how excited every South African was to make their mark that day. It is great to hear stories like these.
Nikita said:
on Friday 04-May-18 03:45 PM
There is still such a long way to go but we should use this day each year to remember how far we have come!
Dune said:
on Friday 04-May-18 11:46 AM
A day to remember, a day which will be celebrated every year, and a day we should teach our children about, a day in which we broke free from apartheid. So nice to read about everyone's stories and experience during that period, and specific day
Henrietta said:
on Friday 04-May-18 09:20 AM
I was 5 at the time. It's amazing how time flies and the world changes. I know its going to take some time to recover from Zuma but I have hope for South Africa and hopefully a brighter future for our kids.
Ashleigh said:
on Friday 04-May-18 09:11 AM
Mandela was really such a good man and I must say all the presidents we had after him really could not fill his shoes.
Liz said:
on Friday 04-May-18 09:02 AM
I always get goosebumps when listening to or reading stories like these. Breaking free from the apartheid regime and becoming a united nation makes one proud to be a South African. Although, we have had our fair share of trouble recently, we can once more rise from it and build on our future.
Lucretia said:
on Friday 04-May-18 08:59 AM
I can remember 27 April 1994 that day like it was yesterday. I did not go vote in the morning with the rest of my family as I was a sick as a dog. But, I did go and vote because I wanted to be part of history in the making. I remember my dad going with me to the school down the road in the early evening to keep me company and although the queue was nowhere near as long as the queues I had heard of throughout the day via the news, the spirit was electrifying. We made friends with people from all walks of life, all different beliefs, etc. It was a day I will never forget.
Clare said:
on Friday 04-May-18 08:40 AM
I can't say much about the Apartheid years as I didn't live in them, Nelson Mandela was and still is the best President ever I wish that he came into power when he was younger then he could still be around looking at his country. Every country has its good side and bad but people should rather put themselves in other people shoes before thronging stones
Prishani said:
on Thursday 03-May-18 05:08 PM
I love hearing stories from my family about the voting in 1994, it must have been such a nostalgic moment to be part of such an important day in our history. I was told that my grandfather woke up early on that day, wore his best suit placed his vote proudly. I think this day meant a lot more to many South Africans as we are hopeful for a brighter future under our new president.
Jadine Richards said:
on Thursday 03-May-18 04:18 PM
My mother always tells me the story of how she took me in my pram to the voting stating in 1994 so that she could participate in the first democratic election. I always get a kick out of knowing that I "was there" whenever it is portrayed in documentaries. I am proud to be apart of a nation that stood up against an unjust system. In so far as what has transpired since '94... I cannot say that I am proud to be apart of that. However, fingers always crossed that President Ramaphosa will have some lasting positive impact.
Brenda Du Toit said:
on Thursday 03-May-18 03:29 PM
South Africa needs a good leader. Things can only get better from now on.I am excited to see what will happen in the years to come. We live in one of the most beautiful places so lets all hope it will get better.
courtney said:
on Thursday 03-May-18 12:10 PM
I voted the first time that I could. I couldn't wait to turn 18 back then. South Africa is at his best at the moment even though this Country has a bad side just like all the others do. Nelson Mandela made a huge change towards this country!
Michelle said:
on Thursday 03-May-18 11:27 AM
I'm so glad I didn't live in the Apartheid years. Thank you to the 27th of April 1994.
Mathilda Du Preez said:
on Thursday 03-May-18 10:46 AM
This day should be celebrated as it is an Iconic day where the country was shifted towards the construction of a new political, social and economic order.
And this was the first step to a new South Africa where everyone can be equal and be free to have a say
Sarah said:
on Thursday 03-May-18 10:07 AM
I am really hoping things will be different now, South Africa needs a good leader and not one that thinks about themselves. I agree everyone should live as equal and free.
Alexis said:
on Thursday 03-May-18 09:34 AM
As soon as I was able, I voted. One cannot complain or moan about issues when you do not use your vote to try and make a change. I could not imagine living in that world of segregation and I am grateful that it changed before I became aware of the world we did once live in
Nicolle said:
on Monday 30-Apr-18 04:44 PM
"Not voting, is a Vote against Democracy" - Something I read somewhere. What an iconic holiday! “The truth is that we are not yet free; we have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed. We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and even more difficult road. For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning.” - Nelson Mandela
This is a day where one should be reminded that this is OUR South Africa. It is a country beautiful and liberated, on a path to great things if given the opportunity.
Sinead said:
on Monday 30-Apr-18 12:01 PM
I will forever be grateful for the fight that was fought - my mom will always remind us about it as well. We really do live in hope for a better future but we all have to make the change though. We can't expect better if we don't contribute
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Monday 30-Apr-18 09:17 AM
I am grateful for the people that fought through apartheid because they are the reason that this is the life I live. I cannot imagine what it must have been like living through that era. I recently visited the late Nelson Mandela and late Winnie Mandela's house and it was quite interesting. We must never forget what the public holiday symbolizes and how far we have come. We still have a long way to go.
Megan said:
on Thursday 26-Apr-18 04:58 PM
I think we can only live in hope that things get better from this point. I was born in 1994 and I cherish the fight fought for where we are.
Fikile said:
on Thursday 26-Apr-18 01:03 PM
South Africa sure has changed since the elections of 1994 a lot has happened and is still happening. i was only 2 years when people were voting for freedom and now am old enough to also see what is wrong and what is not. lets celebrate freedom and unity that was build by people that died and who fort for what we have now
Daniella said:
on Thursday 26-Apr-18 11:59 AM
I am a "born free" however I do appreciate the people that have fought and voted in 1994 - It really is something that I have taken advantage of as a "Born Free" but if i actually think of it my life would be completely different. This day should be celebrated and those who have lost their lives to put us where we are now should be remembered.
Melissa said:
on Thursday 26-Apr-18 10:21 AM
I believe that things can only get better from now on. Leave the past behind us and lets live towards a better future.
Nina said:
on Thursday 26-Apr-18 08:46 AM
It is amazing to see how things have changed over the years, for better and for worse, in some cases. I am excited to see what will happen in the years to come, but I also believe we are better off now that Zuma is out of the picture.
Bianca N said:
on Thursday 26-Apr-18 08:39 AM
I was born in 1994, after the elections, so I don't know anything but the democracy we live in today. I can't imagine how things could just be overlooked like that. I do however think that the ANC has lost their way and have filled with corrupt politicians who have forgotten why this party was started in the first place. We all live in this country and we need to learn to love each other despite the differences and move on from the past.
Shristi said:
on Thursday 26-Apr-18 08:17 AM
This is a day that should definitely be celebrated as it marks the liberation of our country and its people from a long period of colonialism and white minority domination. We should take a moment and reflect and celebrate the relentless efforts of those who fought for this.
Michelle D said:
on Thursday 26-Apr-18 08:16 AM
It is an exceptional relief to be able to have hope in our country again. There are still controversies and will be obstacles and challenges in the future, but after the happenings of this year, it is a bit easier to believe that we will overcome them.
Thabitha said:
on Thursday 26-Apr-18 07:41 AM
I was still small during that time, but I remember seeing long lines people voting for the first time and my granny was worried about their safety. I really thank Nelson Mandela and his family
david said:
on Thursday 26-Apr-18 07:04 AM
i tell you, zuma always reminded me of a lizard.
ramaphosa for the win. i finally feel confident again about our future.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
