Mantsadi Sepheka, South African journalist with Allafrica.com, talks to Cameroon Tribune on the situation in her country.

What is your evaluation of the situation in South Africa, 18 years after the advent of black majority rule?

In his 1994 inaugural speech, former South African President, Nelson Mandela said that "democracy is based on the majority principle. This is especially true in a country such as ours where the vast majority have been systematically denied their rights."

A speech that brought about a lot of hope as black South Africans were now allowed to vote, in what felt like a new democratic South Africa. But eighteen years down the line, that majority is still fighting for basic human rights. They are fighting a different kind of struggle, the struggle for economic freedom. And I feel that we are still miles behind from obtaining the economic freedom that we so badly need.

Some people argue that the police are still the same like under Apartheid.

Yes, our struggle is portrayed by the escalating violent protests that have gripped the country in the past few years. The most recent example is that of the Marikana Mine Massacre which took place last month, where over 40 people were killed.

The incident has been dubbed the single most lethal use of force by South African Security Forces against civilians and has been likened to the Sharpeville Massacre in the 60's. The shooting at Lonmin and the wage deal has put enormous pressure on neighbouring mines as the sentiment of decent wages has now spread across other mines in the country. The industry has now been brought to its knees and the continued strikes have highlighted the issue of cheap labour against a backdrop of a rich and thriving industry.

And the efforts of various ANC governments?

The sad reality is that those who live their lives fighting for basic services like water and electricity and jobs are the very people who voted the ruling African National Congress into power. But party politics, factionalism, greed and billions being lost to corruption since the dawn of democracy, have derailed governments’ goals and delayed the real agenda of looking after the needs of the people.

Another issue many believe government has failed to achieve after 18 years of democracy is that of poor levels of education in the country. And yet, it is the poor majority who bear the brunt of bad decision-making and corruption. Eighteen years down the line, there are still schools where students are being taught under trees. Half-way through the school year, students are yet to receive textbooks, while some schools receive the wrong textbooks. In the year 2012 pupils are still fighting for proper education and the eradication of mud schools.

But it has not been that gloomy. Surely, ANC governments have something to show for 18 years in power.

I do acknowledge that South Africa’s government has managed to, among other things, create some jobs, build millions of houses and develop initiatives to alleviate HIV/AIDS. But that said, there is still much that needs to be achieved to bridge the divide between the rich and poor. I must echo the sentiments of the South African political analyst, Adam Habib, who suggested that the only way to tackle poverty and inequality is by addressing the historical injustices of our past. These are just some of the issues crippling our young democracy. So, do we blame the Apartheid regime or the current government for the state of our nation?