By Simon Nare
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has admitted that the government has not made considerable progress in fully implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations to address systematic inequalities and ensure that all victims receive appropriate redress.
Addressing Human Rights Day celebrations in Kariega in the Eastern Cape, Mashatile said that despite the TRC celebrated globally and other countries adopting the same concept, the South African government has fallen short in the 30 years since it was established.
The deputy president said the formation of the TRC was a crucial step to address past injustices, provide reparations to victims and promote reconciliation. He added that restorative justice was a continuous process requiring commitment from all sectors of society.
“While progress has been made in certain areas, significant work remains to fully implement the TRC’s recommendations, particularly in addressing systemic inequalities and ensuring that all victims receive appropriate redress,” he said
Mashatile said as the country commemorated the brutal Sharpeville massacre on 21 March 1960, it should serve as commitment to ensure justice and equitable outcomes for marginalised people.
He said this year’s theme “Deepening a Culture of Social Justice and Human Rights”, required renewed commitment from all sectors of society.
“It calls on us to deepen our efforts in building a culture that respects and upholds human rights. This requires us to recognise the inherent value and dignity of every individual, regardless of their background, beliefs, or circumstances. It is important for us to actively confront the systemic inequalities that perpetuate injustice.
“The fight for rights and freedom transcends national boundaries; it is a global imperative,” he said.
Mashatile acknowledged that pursuing a just and equitable society was a complex endeavour, and while South Africa has experienced notable economic growth through expanding economic participation, the harsh reality of a 31.9% unemployment rate starkly revealed the ongoing struggle against poverty and inequality.
This, he said, was not merely an economic issue but represented a fundamental matter of human rights and fairness, demanding a concerted and sustained effort from all.
Mashatile said the lack of economic and employment opportunities had a direct correlation with poverty, and it exacerbated inequality.
The government was working to create more opportunities for all citizens through various policy and legislative frameworks such as the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI), which was providing work experience to over 1.5 million young people, 70% of whom were women.
“Our social justice strategy must focus on equipping citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to access opportunities and build a better life for all. Education is paramount in this regard.
“By strengthening our education system and addressing challenges such as scholar transport and malnutrition, we can create pathways for equal opportunities,” he said.
Mashatile hailed the contentious Basic Education Laws Amendment Act as a step in the right direction to ensure that all learners were afforded equal access to learning.
He also touched on the strained relations between South Africa and the US emanating from the signing of the Expropriation Act into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He said new land law signified a shift towards a more inclusive approach to land ownership, incorporating the principle of ‘public interest’ in land acquisition, and demonstrating a commitment to social justice and redress.
“We would like to reiterate that South Africa, as a sovereign state, would not disregard its policies and activities aimed at rectifying historical injustices due to external pressure. We are confident that we have chosen the correct path to establishing an equitable society, and we will not deviate from it,” Mashatile said.
On the US President Donald Trump withdrawing funding for HIV programmes, Mashatile said the country would have to mitigate the impact and get funding from elsewhere to ensure that people continued to get their medication.
“The recent withdrawal of PEPFAR funding by the new USA Administration, which currently funds about 17% of South African health programmes, may exacerbate this situation, threatening access to essential healthcare services. This highlights the urgent need to build a resilient and self-reliant healthcare system,” he said.
“To this effect, our government is developing contingency plans to mitigate the impact of reduced funding, protect those affected by HIV/AIDS and uphold human rights commitments. Government remains committed to ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.”
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