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ON this day in 1960, during a demonstration against the apartheid regime’s pass laws in Sharpeville in the Vaal Region, 69 people were murdered and 180 were injured.
This year, President Cyril Ramaphosa opened the Reagile Library in Koster in the North West, where he also delivered a keynote address.
He said over the past 28 years, the country has made significant progress in tackling poverty and deprivation.
“We have built houses, hospitals and clinics. We have implemented universal basic education and free higher education. The vast majority of our people have access to decent water, sanitation and electricity in their homes,” said Ramaphosa.
“Society’s most vulnerable are supported by an extensive social welfare system.”
Ramaphosa also called for an end to hate crimes and discrimination against the LGBTQI-plus community.
Members of the community are often targets for crime, and face ridicule when going to the police.
Inside Education asked some of young people in the country about what Human Rights Day means – and if it still has relevance to them.
Dimpho Manthoadi, second year student at Varsity College in Pretoria.
“Human rights day used to be just a public holiday for me. I knew that on the 21st of March I have a day
away from school until I started reflecting on what human rights are and that opened my mind to a
world I never knew existed. From unfair treatment because of race or gender by peers, to even people
from high authority violating the rights of human beings. I do believe this day has lost its meaning because of the way the world works now versus how it used to be back then. We grew up knowing legends like Steve Biko and mama Winnie Mandela fought for our rights so that history doesn’t have to repeat itself. But it seems as though the vision our heroes had for our nation has failed because it’s not just unfair treatment towards people of colour and women but
now children are suffering there’s individuals out there that are violating their rights and they are the future of our nation but the people that are meant to protect these children aren’t. We have police officers that are meant to protect us but are violating our rights instead.”
Kutlwano Mothibedi, Grade12 learner at Sebetwane Secondary School in North West.
“Human Rights Day means every individual have rights, and rights go hand in hand with responsibilities.
These are the rights that every individual is entitled to, no matter who or what they are as long as they
live. People’s rights are still being violated, for example 1. right to health they are still denied services and
information about health. 2. The right to work, now you’re forced to vaccinate for you to be able to
work. 3. The right to life, people been killed.”
Theresa Ditlhobolo journalism graduate from Centurion.
“Human Rights for me means that I have a right to life, right to freedom. I have a right to dignity, culture
and to use my language freely. Human rights Day is a reminder to me that innocent people were killed
and wounded so I can move freely in Our Country.
No, the day has meaning and still will be, just that people shift the meaning of the day to what they
want.”
Dineo Maphoto, Grade 11 learner from Mohlapetse High School in Limpopo.
“Human Rights Day means that as a young person I have the right to education shelter, protection and to
be free in my country. However, our rights are always violated especially in schools where there’s always
racial issues. The day has lost meaning, like today I will be busy watching movies. The government does not do
enough to educate us about Human Rights Day.”