03 June 2025
Honourable Members,
We have convened today not merely as members of this august House but as the guardians of a proud legacy of struggle that has been forged in the fires of resistance. This year, as we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, we are reminded of the transformative power of collective action and the enduring relevance of the Charter’s principles. The Freedom Charter, a living document, boldly proclaimed in 1955 that “The people shall govern,” and that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white.” These are not hollow slogans; they are the foundational values that have guided our journey from apartheid oppression to democratic governance and continue to shape our vision for a fairer global order.
Honourable Members,
Today’s debate compels us to look beyond our borders and examine how parliamentary democracy can be harnessed to defend democracy itself both at home and globally against rising threats. We must ask: How do we, as South African parliamentarians, defend democracy against the global headwinds of disinformation, inequality, climate injustice, and political instability? And how do we do so while staying true to the values enshrined in the Freedom Charter?
Honourable Members,
At this critical juncture we are witnessing profound global transformation. These changes have been characterized by technological advances, the rise of the Global South in particular China and the BRICS Plus alliance broadly, and there has been momentum garnered globally around the advancement of Sustainable Development Goals. All these developments, if harnessed strategically, awards us an opportunity to rebalance international relations and promote sustainable development to advance the priorities of the Global South in the world arena. On the other hand, the world is grappling with rising authoritarianism, escalating inequalities and there has also been a spread of global disinformation campaigns that have a potential to deepen mistrust in our democratic institutions.
As a nation we have to continue playing a critical role in global affairs. Through parliamentary diplomacy we have a voice in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, African Union, BRICS, and the G20. We must continue to leverage our participation in these platforms to continue to advocate for fairer global governance, sustainable development, and human rights, and decisively tackle these disinformation campaigns.
But we must be honest: the global landscape is not always favourable to these progressive goals. Multilateralism is under strain, with geopolitical rivalries sometimes overshadowing the needs of the global poor. This is where our Parliament must remain firm. We must use our diplomatic voice to foster North-South cooperation on issues like technology transfer, fair trade, and vaccine equity, while simultaneously strengthening South-South solidarity through bodies like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Honourable Members,
The Freedom Charter’s vision was not confined to the national stage; it resonated with a universal yearning for justice. The Charter declared that: “There shall be houses, security, and comfort,” and “There shall be peace and friendship.”
These aspirations align closely with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which seek to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, ensure gender equality, and combat climate change. As parliamentarians, our role is not just to pass laws; it is to hold the Executive accountable in aligning our domestic policy efforts with these global commitments.
Consider our land reform programme: it is not just about correcting past injustices; it is about ensuring food security and sustainable livelihoods, in line with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Our investments in social security are about more than poverty alleviation; they are about advancing SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
Furthermore, our legislative oversight over climate action is essential. Parliament must ensure that the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries collaborates effectively with international partners to meet South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Climate change is not an abstract threat; it affects the livelihoods of our rural communities, the stability of our water supply, and the resilience of our coastal cities.
In addition, Parliament’s oversight of education policies must ensure that we are preparing the next generation of South Africans particularly our youth and young women for the digital economy, thereby contributing to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
Our legislative work, therefore, must always be connected to the global frameworks we have signed onto. This is the essence of democratic accountability in a globalized world.
Our legislative work, therefore, must always be connected to the global frameworks we have signed onto. This is the essence of democratic accountability in a globalized world.
Honourable Members,
To truly harness parliamentary democracy for global solidarity, equality, and sustainability, we must strengthen inter-parliamentary partnerships. We must build alliances with progressive forces across the world parliamentarians, civil society actors, academic institutions, and grassroots movements who share our commitment to justice and human dignity.
We should deepen cooperation on fair trade arrangements, advocate collectively for debt relief measures, and push for reform of global institutions like the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund to better serve the needs of the Global South.
We must also ensure that the National Assembly positions itself as a champion not only in law but in practice leading by example, reflecting the diversity of South Africa, and modeling ethical leadership. This means strengthening the integrity of our own parliamentary processes, enhancing transparency, and engaging citizens more directly in the work of democracy.
Honourable Members,
As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, we are reminded that democracy is never static. It must be renewed, defended, and expanded in every generation. It must confront the new threats of our time: the digital manipulation of public opinion, the global climate crisis, the persistence of global poverty and inequality with the same courage and vision that guided our liberation movement.
Let us rise to this historic moment. Let us defend democracy against global threats, not in words alone but in concrete action. Let us align our domestic efforts with global commitments, ensuring that no South African and no global citizen is left behind. Let us amplify the voices of the marginalized, both here and abroad, knowing that true freedom is only possible when all are free.