Lerato Mbhiza
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a keynote address at the national commemoration of Human Rights Day which was held in Sharpeville, Sedibeng District Municipality in Gauteng.
Ramaphosa said the government has built a society in which everyone has an equal expectation that their rights will be respected and upheld.
“We have travelled this long journey together. But we still have further to travel and much more to do before everyone can equally exercise the fundamental freedoms that are rightfully theirs.
“As we look back on 30 years of freedom, as we look back on decades of struggle for basic human rights, we must acknowledge the great strides that we have made. Working together, as a nation united, we have built a democracy that recognises the equal worth of every person” he said.
Ramaphosa added that the people must continue to work to redress the injustices of the past, affirming those who have been disadvantaged by unfair discrimination
He said eight out of every 10 households in South Africa have proper housing and nine out of every 10 homes have electricity and access to cleaning drinking water.
“More children from poor families are completing school, passing matric and going on to study at universities and colleges”.
The national event coincides with the 30th anniversary of freedom and democracy and was held under the theme “Three Decades of Respect for and Promotion of Human Rights.”
“The month of March will be used to reflect on the country’s achievements to promote respect for basic human rights and restore human dignity in line with the Bill of Rights.
Human Rights Month is commemorated to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in South Africa” he said.
It also commemorates the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960, where peaceful protestors marching against discriminatory pass laws were fatally shot by the apartheid police and others were wounded.
The hosting of the event in Sharpeville symbolises the government’s commitment to honour the sacrifices made by those who fought and died for our liberation in Sharpeville and other communities throughout South Africa, Ramaphosa said.
The events of 21 March 1960, which started as a peaceful march against the apartheid pass laws, turned into a tragic massacre when the police shot and killed 69 people, including 29 children, and wounded over 180 others.
This day marked a major turning point in South African history as it resulted in an intensified armed struggle for liberation from the brutality and inhumanity of apartheid.
“In 2024, South Africa marks the 30th anniversary of its democracy, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made to achieve freedom. As we commemorate 21 March this year, it is important to pause, reflect and assess the trajectory of human rights since the transition to democracy.
“Since the end of apartheid in 1994, black South Africans have experienced the most severe human rights violations, enduring continued marginalisation and vulnerability.
“Despite strides toward equality, gross violations of human rights persist within the black South African community, underscoring the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.
“As the country celebrates 30 years of democracy, it is crucial to assess the ongoing challenges to the current state of human rights and explore the extent to which they are respected, protected and fulfilled”.
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