On Freedom Day, to celebrate fifteen years of democracy, I launched The Soapbox – a nonpartisan online platform where young South Africans can speak out about things they feel strongly about.
Why? Because South Africa is at a crossroads. Now more than ever is it important to use our freedom to ensure that democracy prevails in South Africa — that it is strengthened and sustainable. Periodic elections are not enough. A democracy can only live and flourish if citizens actively engage with important issues. Freedom of speech — and utilising that vital right — stimulates democracy by ensuring that power structures — from government and corporations to trade unions and NGOs — are held accountable for their actions and policies.
If we are silent and apathetic we are complicit in power abuse, in reinforcing mediocrity as a standard and in ensuring that an unsatisfactory status quo is maintained.
Many people feel that expressing their opinions about the burning issues of the day is pointless, because their voice will be ignored by mainstream media. Others feel alienated with regards to current, more rigid mediums of expression (such as the letters page of a newspaper) or intimidated by the rigours of maintaining something like a blog on an ongoing basis.
The Soapbox takes all of these dynamics into account. By creating a platform for opinion online, The Soapbox is situated within a medium that young people are comfortable with. It also means that the project is easier to integrate with current modes of communication and social connection (such as Facebook) that young people use.
Sited in a political landscape characterised by the inanities and incitements of the likes Julius Malema, The Soapbox aims to fight political and cultural apathy and to foster tolerance and a culture of intelligent debate among young South Africans.
For more info, check out The Soapbox.
alex
“Many people feel that expressing their opinions about the burning issues of the day is pointless..”
but it’s pointless to see & hear people like zille criticises everything. in her prismoid, the whole lot done by the anc is wrong. for example she criticises (pointlessy) the appointment of dr peter mulder whilst in hindsight she recruits da members in her wc cabinet.
therefore nothing is burning; if there is; then it’s “pointless”.
Why just young South Africans? What is a young South African? Am I young by your definition? Ageism?
Indeed, young people must speak-out as long as they don’t say things that we’re uncomfortable with.Yes Julius Malema shouldn’t speak out, only middle class kids should have a say, at least they are unlikely to offend our sensibilities.
You’re just kidding yourself, many African kids are aware of the disparities between the different communities in South Africa. The only plausible explanation of their deprivation is often explained in race terms. But then again you’re free to listen to the voices that make you comfortable.
rod
get your own dictionary or wiki…you cannot expect alex to define ‘young’ to every south african.
but again, the way you whinge, it’s easy for someone to conclude that you’re young.
btw on my earlier comment, i meant to say, “zille appointed id member”
@Rod MacKenzie
I have purposefully not defined “young” – it’s up to readers and contributors of The Soapbox to decide whether they are young or not.
So, if you consider yourself “young” feel free to submit a contribution at http://www.thesoapbox.fm/form/use/Contributor_Form/form1.html
Siphiwo, I smell a rat with you. You are mostly first to comment on these blogs. Are you a professional blogger? If so, as this is not a commercial chat room you should reveal who your sponsor is.
Siphiwo keeps this place alive and interesting. Sometimes he’s annoying, but when you get used to him he’s great fun.
Whatever happened BLACKLISTED?
Thanks Alex – this is a great forum and an opportunity to respectfully engage in intelligent debate. As you can see, in SA people have a tendency to play the man and not the ball, and to attach semantically meaningless tags based on people’s perceived demographics rather than the content of their arguments. There is also a stifling political correctness One of the tricks is to try to expand the debates beyond SA’s immediate situation, and take a broader look at 20th and 21st century history. The conclusions are often not what anybody would have expected.