Govt Launches Nationwide Initiative For Citizen Engagement To Celebrate 30 Years of Freedom

To mark 30 years of freedom and democracy, the government announced the launch of a series of events across the country where citizens can interact directly with officials to discuss service delivery.

As part of this initiative, a special bus will travel to different communities in the upcoming months. Various government departments will use this bus to host events aimed at promoting dialogue and encouraging citizens to participate in shaping government services.

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga clarified that "bus" comes from the word omnibus, meaning "for everyone," symbolizing inclusivity in the democratic process, SA News reported.

"It often symbolizes taking a journey. So, it fits well with the idea that we should all embark on a journey to commemorate the arrival of democracy and freedom," Chikunga said, adding that the bus will travel across South Africa until April 2025 to spread the "message of what the government has delivered to bring a better life to the people of South Africa over the past 30 years."

Chikunga further noted that the freedom and democracy bus will be under the Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and managed by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), emphasizing that it will be available to all government departments for various campaigns.

The minister said whenever citizens see the bus from inside after boarding, they will realize that it is equipped for public servants to work comfortably during long journeys.

She went on to encourage all government departments to take responsibility for the bus, just like the Department of Transport will do at its end. Its first task will be the Youth Month activities during this weekend.

"As a country, we have emerged unified from the recent elections and we continue to put people first as we celebrate 30 years of democracy and freedom. From the dawn of democracy in 1994, to date we stand more committed to bring a better life to all citizens of this glorious nation," the minister said.

To honor the "30 Years of Freedom" campaign, the government will look back on the country's history, celebrate its achievements and encourage citizens to keep working towards its growth and development.