Betrayed by democracy

During the transition to democracy in South Africa violence erupted countrywide, and in Thokoza township on the East Rand of Johannesburg, thousands were killed. In response to the outbreak, children as young as 12 and young men in the township formed the Self Defence Unit (SDU) to protect their families and the safety of their township.

“We all wanted democracy. To us it was revolution. Nobody wants to remember what happened.’Roar young Lions roar,’ was the first words uttered in all our addresses by comrade Oliver Tambo and Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in their speeches. We where left uneducated, underdeveloped, traumatized and armed,” explains Mandla Mncube who has been sentenced to 16 years for armed robbery. The photo-essay and multimedia video examines the relationship between South Africans violent struggle for democracy and present violent crimes.

Thanks to Greg Marinovich, editor of the TwentyTen project, for sharing his experience.