They’re known as the ‘born frees’, who didn’t experience first-hand the legalised segregation and racism of apartheid.
But they’re also the generation facing 55% unemployment and rising crime rates.
Some though are determined to challenge that trend and make successful careers in the creative arts, and they’re subject of a report on tonight’s Dateline at 9.30pm on SBS ONE.
“Our parents were affected by apartheid, everything we have we’ve made ourselves,” says fashion designer Sibu from Johannesburg.
He’s part of a team of young designers called Smarteez, who have featured in style magazines and blogs around the world.
“If I vote, who am I going to being voting for, why?” he responds when asked about the election. “They’ve been doing the same shit… because they do shit.”
“You can’t wait for the government to buy you a house, you need to work yourself, you need to involve yourself.”
It’s predicted the ruling African National Congress will remain in power next week.
President Jacob Zuma has promised six millions jobs, although opposition parties have expressed their doubts.
“The legacy of apartheid is nothing tangible, it’s something inside me, something inside everybody else who lived throughout the era of apartheid,” said 24 year-old Mpho Lehlongwa from Soweto.
His father was murdered and he also lost his mother. He initially turned to drugs, but is now following his passion as a writer.
“My hopes for Mpho is that he gets what he wants in life,” says his grandmother, who raised him along with his aunties in a pro-ANC household.
“I haven’t seen much change, though there is, but for me as an individual there isn’t much. There’s so much poverty,” she says.
Mpho too is also sceptical about the election.
“The main reason behind me not wanting to vote is because I’ve seen my grandmother vote so many times for change and nothing has came,” he says.
“I don’t understand the term free for me now as someone born in the 90s. I’m not free, I’ve got my own struggles, but it’s one of those battles that I believe I’ll stay winning.”
The born frees aren’t afraid of speaking out and challenging the views of the older generation with their determination to be noticed.
21-year-old designer Mbongeni is making T-shirts bearing the word ‘Kaffir’ – a slur once so offensive, people called it the ‘k-word’.
“Everyone told me to not do it, but that’s what motivated me to do it,” he tells Dateline.
“We aren’t trying to hurt people or make them go back to the past, we’re trying to make peace with the fact we were called Kaffirs,” says one of Mbongeni’s colleagues.
But what would anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela have made of it all?
“He taught us about forgiveness,” says Mbongeni. “If he could forgive a whole race, I don’t think he’d have a problem with these T-shirts.”
The stories of many of these born free musicians, artists and fashion designers are being captured in photographs by a young white South African, Chris Saunders.
“It’s the exact opposite of the idea that they have of Africa, which is this negative idea,” he says.
“When people see the images that I shoot of South Africans, you see how colourful and vibrant and positive South African culture.”
