Do South Africans remember the importance of Human Rights Day?
Under this year's theme ‘consolidating and sustaining human rights into the future’, the Polokwane Review asked residents whether they think South Africans still remember the importance of the day.
POLOKWANE – South Africans celebrate Human Rights Day annually on March 21 in commemoration of the Sharpville Massacre in 1960.
On that day 69 people died and 180 were wounded when police fired on a peaceful crowd that had gathered in protest against the pass laws.
Government says this day marked an affirmation by ordinary people, rising in unison to proclaim their rights.
“It became an iconic date in our country’s history that today we commemorate as Human Rights Day as a reminder of our rights and the cost paid for our treasured human rights,” parliament’s website reads.
Under this year’s theme ‘consolidating and sustaining human rights into the future’, the Polokwane Review asked residents whether they think South Africans still remember the importance of the day.
Mokadikwa Seshoka – I think the history of it is lost because some just celebrate it as a public day without thinking of its meaning and its origin. I think programmes where the Bill of Rights is read and explained to us will be beneficial to our humanity and for us to address our next generation. When it is just celebrated like a fun day without thinking of the aim of it, people will eventually forget the purpose of it.Ramasela Manaba – There’s nothing to celebrate because we have nothing we can point to and say ‘we have fought for this’. When the government spoke about the issue of human rights, they mentioned free education but people are fighting for it .Zanele Mohlala – Yes the history behind human rights day has been lost, and this includes most holidays. People no longer see their significance.Itumeleng Mokgabudi – Human Rights Day in South Africa is historically linked with the events of Sharpeville. I don’t think it’s lost, hence people still commemorate the day.Bongi Mabaso – We have lost the meaning of Human Rights Day because when we speak about human rights, we speak about the rights for al, and those rights are not being respected. This takes us to the issue of GBV which is a huge problem in South Africa at the moment. So it is no longer important to celebrate this day.Hlanhla Hlongwane – South Africans forgot the true meaning of this day and they no longer understand what it means. They just take this day like as a public holiday, whereby it gives them a day to enjoy themselves without going to work. The unfortunate part about this is that our children will not know more about Human Rights Day and why we celebrate it.Phishegelo Malatji – It has been lost as people turn a blind eye to it and use it as a day to destress by going to clubs and tarvens instead of trying to honour those who sacrificed for the rights that we now cherish.Kgaladi Ramontja – It is more of a day to relax with our families. Why should we celebrate Human Rights Day while our rights are not respected or even taken into consideration when it comes to providing us with jobs, houses and water?For more breaking news follow us on FacebookTwitter Instagram or join our WhatsApp group
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