IT’S always great to enjoy an extra day off on the weekend, but it’s important to remember what’s behind the welcome public holiday.

On Sunday, 21 March, we celebrate Human Rights Day, one of many historic days in our nation’s history, and the first Human Rights Day we’ll be celebrating in national lockdown.

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Here’s a look some of the most noteworthy facts behind this significant holiday.

1. The Sharpeville Massacre

The date commemorates the lives lost in the horrific Sharpeville Massacre when, in 1960, apartheid-era police opened fire on around 5 000 people who were peacefully protesting the inhumane pass laws. Some 69 people were killed on that day, with another 180 wounded.

2. Leading the struggle

It is struggle icon Robert Sobukwe, the newly-elected leader of the PAC (Pan Africanist Congress of Azania) who is credited with starting the anti-pass law movement. At the time, he was also an African languages lecturer at Wits University.

3. Heroes’ Day

Because of its historic origins, Human Rights Day is also known as Heroes’ Day in commemoration of the citizens who lost their lives in the struggle for basic human rights.

4. Bill of Rights

The Sharpeville Massacre in retaliation to the Pass Law protests ultimately led to the inclusion of the Bill of Rights in the South African constitution, the cornerstone of our democracy. Included in the Bill of Rights are basic human rights, which are that every citizen has a right to life, equality, human dignity, citizenship, security, privacy, movement, residence, occupation, basic education, language, culture, communities, freedom of religion and belief.

5. International appreciation While Human Rights Day is celebrated on 21 March in South Africa, international Human Rights Day is actually celebrated on 10 December. However, 21 March is also the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

6. This is our 27th celebration

It was in 1994, just after Nelson Mandela became president in the first democratic elections, that 21 March was declared a national holiday known as Human Rights Day.

This year we’ll be celebrating our 27th Human Rights Day, and our first since lockdown began.

With the world in turmoil, and the most vulnerable citizens hardest hit, take a moment to do something positive for someone this Human Rights Day.

Whether it’s a kind word, giving up some time to help another or even giving a donation, every little bit helps!

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