Law student encourages citizens to be more involved in democracy
Being a good citizen requires more than a few minutes every few years to vote – for democracy to thrive we must all participate in nation-building.
Chipo Hansungule has strong opinions on how far South Africa has come in terms of realising rights and freedoms for all citizens.
Here is what she had to say:
We know what Human Rights Day is supposed to be about but I am not sure South Africa has achieved its goals.
I think South Africa has come a very long way from where it was in 1994 where human rights were basically non-existent for most people to where we are right now.
We have definitely come a long way; you can’t deny that but we are not there yet.
When you’ve grown up in a different environment, when you’re in a different age, you will also just notice all the different problems that exist right now. Problems in your time, and the country that you’re living in currently – right now.
There’s still so much more that we have to do to in order to reach our goals.
I don’t know if the election will change anything to be honest.
I support the electoral democracy and I support going to elections and voting but the work needs to not only happen on one day every few years.
Even if you vote and don’t get the result you wanted, we must continue to go and vote at the local elections. It’s about continuing to be involved in what’s going on in your community as well. Continuing to be involved even as just a citizen is so important.
Related article: Human rights must always be protected
