A defining moment

1994 brought to South Africa the first democratic elections. This was a defining moment in the history of the country. For the first time, the citizens of South Africa were free to choose who they want to be their representative in governing the country. The events of the past few days might have left a few question marks in people's minds, but that's not the point of me writing this.
My issue is the " freedom" to choose, vote and be affiliated with a party of ONES CHOICE. Politicians and citizens alike always preach how we are a democratic society, how everyone is allowed to vote a party of their choice. Some political preach this when it suits, when they are not being challenged. But when one starts challenging them and they don't have answers, they start insulting you...you are a puppet of the west, you are a sellout, you are fronting etc etc, I will not repeat some of the comments hear.
I have voted three times in my life, the first time in 1999 at the age of 21. I have never voted ANC, in the beginning it was my understanding of politics at the time and the need to have an opposition that I chose not to vote for the ANC. Two more elections after I still have never voted the ANC. My friend cried when I mentioned this after last year's elections, she started giving me a lecture about how wrong it was etc, the struggle, apartheid  and so forth. I felt quite offended, like she thought I did not have the right to vote for any other party than the ANC. It is my choice, my vote and I can do what I choose with it. Apartheid was horrific, and it had to be eradicated, and I am grateful for the struggle heros who fought hard for that freedom. But let that freedom be exactly that...because what they fought for was for me and all the other black people to have a choice. Not a choice with conditions, or be made to feel guilty when I choose something else.
I listened in parliament, several speakers taking a swipe at Mmusi Maimane and others like Pumzile van Damme for being in the DA. Does it mean because you are black one must be in a party with the black majority? If that is the case, then we don't have a democracy. Swipes being taken against EFF members to say, you owe this freedom to us, if it wasn't for us you would not be in parliament,you are ertenally indebted to us. That is wrong. We should never be made to feel guilty about our choices. Freedom should never have conditions, freedom does not mean I must vote or agree with the ruling party, it means I can do WHATEVER I choose to do with my vote.
And this is not only from the ANC supporters, also some in the EFF have the same thinking especially on black people voting DA. I have friends from all races, affiliated to different parties and to be fair I don't impose nor belittle them for their choices, because they are exactly that...THEIR CHOICES. I see on news24 comments forum there are some people who keep on harping on about the 62percent and they are the ones who have put us in this mess with the government , well they chose to vote for the ANC, whatever the reason. 
The injustices of the past will unfortunately always be a perfect escape for present failures, but that does not mean that people should be nasty to those who don't vote along the same lines as them from both sides.

As the slogan goes, " My Vote My Choice"... you may agree, but that is the true democracy. Freedom of Choice.