Features

As South Africa celebrates 20 years of freedom and democracy, Neo Semono discovers that life has changed for the better in her rural home village.

From the historic Rugby World Cup in 1995 to the first ever soccer World Cup to be played on African Soil, South Africa has become the centre of attention since its democratic elections in 1994. Chris Bathembu looks at some of the historic moments in the country’s history over the past 20 years.

As we pause and reflect on South Africa’s 20 years of freedom this coming Sunday, let’s raise a glass to ourselves, writes Bathandwa Mbola.

From a dusty township to a 21st century bustling city, Bathandwa Mbola visits her home town of Soweto to observe how it has changed from the once segregated township she grew up in the 1980s.

To give taxpayers value for money and to root out tender fraud, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has roped in ‘Big Brother’ to give government an eagle’s view to ensure that the public purse is spared from abuse.

Fifty four years ago, it took an act of armed resistance to prompt worldwide condemnation of the apartheid system. Bathandwa Mbola recently took a trip to the historic township, to hear the tale of a Sharpeville survivor, who dared to stand up against an oppressive regime.

Christina Digwamaje has spent most of her life in the small village of Pella in the North West.

When Thuthiwe Rwexu appeared on a television programme that highlighted the plight of Second Creek residents, it was not only her living conditions that sent shivers down the spines of viewers.

For the black South Africans who were forcibly removed from their ancestral land more than 100 years ago, there can be no full enjoyment of human rights without land rights, writes Nthambeleni Gabara.

Since 1994, government has transferred millions of hectares of land back to the black majority who were removed from their ancestral land over 100 years ago.

A young South African woman tells Gabi Khumalo that there is life after HIV.

From a virtually bankrupt state to a thriving trillion rand budget, South Africa’s economy is undoubtedly a world away from what it was 20 years ago, writes Amukelani Chauke

South Africa is a world leader in mining, and mining remains the back bone of the country’s economy. It has been so since the precious metal was discovered in Johannesburg around 1887.

South Africa has a strong well-known track record when it comes to successfully hosting major continental and international sporting events.

In all my years as a news reporter, I have come across several heads of state and other high-profile dignitaries.