{
  "id": 17034029,
  "title": "Mandela would be ‘bitterly disappointed’ at how we squandered our freedom, says Buthelezi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/mandela-would-be-bitterly-disappointed-at-how-we-squandered-our",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-29T08:44:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/elections/mandela-would-be-bitterly-disappointed-at-how-we-squandered-our-freedom-says-buthelezi/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As South Africans prepare for upcoming local government elections, concerns are mounting about whether voting can genuinely bring about change. Dr. Mbongiseni Buthelezi, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, expressed frustration among citizens who are losing trust in democratic institutions due to unmet needs. \"People are losing faith because basic necessities such as quality education, accessible healthcare, and safer communities are not being delivered,\" he stated. These expectations, according to Buthelezi, have fueled voter frustration and a decrease in trust in politics, leading some to consider abstaining from voting. However, he cautioned against this, emphasizing that opting out of voting could inadvertently allow another party to govern. While some, especially the younger generation, are increasingly engaging in online activism and alternative forms of political participation, Buthelezi believes voting remains vital. He proposed that voters can address disengagement by holding elected officials accountable to the communities they serve. Coalition governments present an additional challenge, as they have often been formed through \"dirty deals\" that do not prioritize citizens' needs. Buthelezi expressed cautious optimism, noting that the government of national unity (GNU) could serve as a more positive example by allowing parties to check each other's actions. The pressing challenge now is finding ways to stabilize coalition governments while ensuring political leaders are held accountable. Reflecting on Nelson Mandela's legacy, Buthelezi acknowledged that Mandela himself would likely be disappointed with the current state of political leadership. He noted that Mandela's disappointment stemmed from the gap between South Africa's democratic values and the reality of governance. For Buthelezi, Mandela's concept of hope went beyond mere optimism; it involved taking action to address the problems faced by citizens daily.",
  "summary": "'People are losing trust because things that they want government, the system, to deliver to them, just aren't being delivered'",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "The growing gap between democratic promises and the delivery of basic necessities threatens to erode public trust and push disillusioned citizens away from the ballot box.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}