Sir – Mother Teresa aptly pointed out that ‘Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being’s entitlement by virtue of his humanity’.
Today, 26 years on since the dawn of our democracy, Human Rights Day serves as a reminder of the brutal regime of the past, the challenges we continue to face as a country in the present and the infinite hope and progress that our country will enjoy in the future.
To amplify Mother Teresa, our Government must understand that we cannot simply all celebrate the hard-won victory of our Human Rights, when vulnerable South Africans still face grave injustice. Government must walk the talk of human rights.
Raising our voices in speaking out against injustices is essential to the creation of a future of peace, justice and sustainable development; where our Government serves all our people, all the time, with all our resources.
The IFP considers Ubuntu/Botho as the foundation of all human interaction. Accordingly, we have respect, compassion and empathy for everyone, recognising that human dignity is intrinsic to all. Our country has accomplished much since 1994, but political freedom has not delivered social and economic justice for all our people.
Combatting corruption, ending the scourge of gender-based violence, putting the needs of South African workers first through job preservation and strengthening our criminal justice system by having a referendum on the death penalty, are key causes the IFP will champion in Parliament, in the Provincial Legislatures and in all IFP-led local Governments.
We are a nation building itself through the principles of togetherness, reconciliation and fighting to secure social and economic justice for all South Africans. These values are inextricably linked to our own values. We can attribute this legacy of the IFP in fighting to secure universal human rights on the basis of humanity, freedom, justice, and peace for all South Africans.
As we look back to draw inspiration on our legacy and how far we have come in our journey to a non-racial country, we look to the present to solve the many human rights violations millions of South Africans still suffer.
Velenkosini Hlabisa MPL
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