'There are gains yet, there's still some work to do'

Masilo Machaka is an avid Kaizer Chiefs, Bafana Bafana, Proteas, and Springbok supporter and a recognisable face in the stands. Machaka can often be seen on our TV screens, singing and dancing during football, cricket and rugby matches.  A passionate sports fan, who hails from Botlokwa in the Limp…

Democracy Gauge: Brian Mahlangu

In the shadow of the Marlboro Gautrain station, in the heart of one of South Africa’s most affluent regions, the cardboard and hardwood shacks of Setswetla informal settlement stand in stark contrast to the mansions of its neighboring suburb of Sandton. Situated on the banks of the Jukskei River, …

Democracy Gauge: George Mbathu

A former North West police officer, based in Klerksdorp, who was allegedly suspended from his duty in 1991, is still struggling to get his suspension lifted, 28 years later. The man says, he has knocked virtually on all doors, and seemingly, no one is prepared to listen. He says, at the dawn of dem…

Democracy Gauge: Faldielah Gamieldien

Faldielah Gamieldien (50) from Grassy Park has been working on Adderley Street since the age of 15 – where she sells flowers. Gamieldien took up this job because her mother had to work alone for 9 children. “It wasn’t easy, so I had to leave school,” she says. Gamieldien says she is ashamed of wha…

Democracy Gauge: MaDingaan Loraine Pemvana

MaDingaan Pemvana (63) from Bloemfontein has to walk 2 kilometers every week to sell recycled material to make a living. Pemvana receives pension money and says it does not meet all her basic needs. Pemvana stays at Lusaka Square at my mother's place, she had her own place but after her husband was…

Democracy Gauge: Handsome Khumalo

19-year-old Ngobe Handsome Khumalo lives on the streets of Durban. And democracy, he says, hasn’t done anything for him. Khumalo was raised in Waterloo in Verulam. The thing that made him end up in the streets is drugs, heroin. He started smoking drugs when I was still young.

Democracy Gauge: Nazir Osman

Businessman Nazir Osman runs a business that manufactures lollipops and other sweets. the business exports to about fourteen countries, with their flagship brand being Stumbo. – one of the biggest selling pops in the country. Osman says democracy has opened new doors. His sweet manufacturing busi…

Democracy Gauge: Katriena Esau

Katriena Esau (85) admits that her life has not been easy… However she says it seems like things are starting to look up. Esau enjoys to keep busy with teaching her children her language. She has a desire that her language shouldn’t die out. “I hope God will allow my to live to see my language bei…

Democracy Gauge: Quinton Faro

Quinton Faro (45) was born in Barrydale and was raised in the karoo and in part in Cape Town. Faro says he always felt that he wanted to come back to the karoo because “I am a child of the Karoo” he say

Democracy Gauge: Michael December

We take you back to the 27th of April 1994, when millions of South Africans voted for the first time since the fall of apartheid. But one man, Michael December, was still incarcerated when Nelson Mandela was democratically elected as South Africa's first black president. He only received a politica…