Successes of 30 years of democracy told through the life of  “Tintswalo” 

Inside Politics Reporter

President Cyril Ramaphsa kicked off his State of the Nation Address (Sona) by narrating a story of the first 30 years of our democracy that he said can be best told through the life of a child called Tintswalo born at the dawn of freedom in 1994. 

Tintswalo  – democracy’s child – grew up in a society that was worlds apart from the South Africa of her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, the President told Parliament.  

“She grew up in a society governed by a constitution rooted in equality, the rule of law, and affirmation of the inherent dignity of every citizen. 

“Tintswalo, and many others born at the same time as her, were beneficiaries of the first policies of the democratic state to provide free healthcare for pregnant women and children under the age of six.  

“Tintswalo’s formative years were spent in a house provided by the