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10 April 2022
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." - President Nelson Mandela
Today is marked by the extraordinary actions of ordinary people who came together to proclaim their rights. The 21st of March is an iconic date in South Africa, where we remember the cost that was paid for so that we could all be treated fairly and equally - our basic human rights.
Human Rights Day is historically linked with the events of Sharpeville in 1960. This historical event serves as a stark reminder to all South Africans about the sacrifices that were made and the struggles that were faced in order to achieve the democracy that we freely enjoy today.
According to the South African Government 'the 1960s were characterised by systematic defiance and protests against apartheid and racism across the country. On 21 March 1960, the communities of Sharpeville and Langa townships, like their fellow compatriots across the country, embarked on a march to protest pass laws. The Pass Laws Act of 1952 required black South Africans over the age of 16 to carry a pass book, known as a dompas, everywhere and at all times. The apartheid police shot and killed 69 of the [peaceful] protesters at Sharpeville, many of whom were shot while fleeing. Many other people were killed in other parts of the country. The tragedy became known as the Sharpeville Massacre and it exposed the apartheid government’s deliberate violation of human rights to the world.'
In a poetic coincidence, Human Rights Month 2022 coincides with the 25th anniversary of the adoption of The Constitution. The Constitution enshrines the rights of all people in South Africa and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality, and freedom for all.
Do you know the rights our fellow South Africans fought so hard for?
It’s important to be the change you want to see in the world, from our workplaces, our communities and in our schools to the relationships we have with our families and the lessons we teach our children. As South Africans and humans, we need to reflect on the South Africa that we would like to live in.
The South African Government has called ‘on all South Africans to use Human Rights Month to foster greater social cohesion, nation-building and a shared national identity. It is our duty as a nation to strive for inclusive socio-economic development while ensuring that we combat scourges such as racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all related intolerances as well as gender-based violence and femicide, which are undermining our human rights culture.'
This information is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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