Constitution Hill commemorates Human Rights Day through festival
The voter conversation workshop aimed to encourage voter education and participation.
In light of Human Rights Day, Constitution Hill hosted the 6th edition of the Human Rights Festival where different dialogues ranging from Milestones to 30 Years of Democracy to Voter Conversations Workshop were hosted from March 21 to March 23.
In light of election season, the publication attended the Voter Conversations Workshop hosted by Rivonia Circle’s Director of Programmes and political analyst Tessa Dooms, and programme coordinator Khanya Burns-Ncamashe.
The workshop combined voter education on registration, through technology with a toolkit for community-based conversations on the value of voting, and participation by young voters who need to recognise the importance of voting in the upcoming general elections and beyond.
Burns-Ncamashe explained that Rivonia Circle was a political think tank that influenced research and policy based on information and workshops that it ran in communities in the country.
“Part of our work is to allow citizens to talk about their issues because people do not engage before election season. Today’s goal was to host a voter conversation workshop because it is election season and the point of the workshop was to remind voters of their responsibilities on voting day as well as listen to the apathetic youth and their reasons for not wanting to vote.”
She added that outside of election season, the NGO facilitated other programs such as political theatre, and the democracy builder. Rivonia Circle mainly focused on democracy and governance.
Regional coordinator, Phumlani Ngceza said he noticed that some people did not vote consciously and did not know the value of voting.
“People’s votes are led by emotions but a lack of understanding hence there are sometimes spoiled ballot papers.”
The theme of the festival was Seize the Power. The festival aimed to build greater awareness and knowledge around human rights and to promote the importance of an active citizenry.
“It aimed to build social cohesion, and tolerance of difference and heal divisions in our communities. The festival was conceptualised to commemorate those heroes who took a stand for their rights in the Sharpeville 1960 massacre, those who taught us to stand up for the power and relevance of human rights for all,” said Constitutional Hill’s acting CEO, Siyabonga Hlongwane.
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