Welcome address by Gauteng Premier, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, during the Human Rights Celebration, Kliptown

President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma
Ministers present
MEC’s present
Mayors present
Councillors and Community Leaders
Ladies and Gentlemen

Over 50 years has passed since the savage killing of the peaceful protesters in Sharpeville on March 21, 1960. We remember with deep sadness the 69 lives that were lost, of which 8 were women and 10 were children. We also remember the lives of hundreds sacrificed and lost in other parts of South Africa in the same period. Their death was not in vain.

While we commemorate the heroes and heroines who shed their blood for us to live in a free country, we are also celebrating the attainment of constitutional democracy which entrenched the culture for respect of human rights. We are celebrating the triumph of the people’s will over tyranny. We are celebrating the resilience of the people who forge ahead in the face of brutality and death. Those who chose to fight than cower in their misery, today, we celebrate.

In emphasising the significance of this day, President Mandela, in 1996 on Human Rights Day, said: "21 March is South African Human Rights Day. It is a day which, more than many others, captures the essence of the struggle of the South African people and the soul of our non-racial democracy. March 21 is the day on which we remember and sing praises to those who perished in the name of democracy and human dignity. It is also a day on which we reflect and assess the progress we are making in enshrining basic human rights and values."

Today, we have become the envy of other nations because of our steadfast commitment in the promotion and protection of human rights against any form of abuse. We have established institutions and measures that discourage any violation of rights as an indication of our deep respect for the promotion of human rights.

But it must be emphasised that as much as the rights are enshrined in the constitution, the responsibilities that come with rights are equally important. Basically, we cannot speak of rights outside responsibilities. Too many things are done in the name of rights and yet none in the promotion of responsibilities.

So as we commemorate the 52^nd Human Rights Day, we must demonstrate our commitment to the constitution by speaking out on the issues of responsibilities. Failure to do so will only undermine the tireless efforts and selfless sacrifice made by revolutionaries such as OR Tambo, Raymond Mhlaba, Harry Gwala, Robert Sobukwe, Lillian Ngoyi, Beyers Naude, Walter Sisulu, and many others, who fought until the last drop of their blood to ensure that you and I become a free people.

Today, we must also recommit ourselves to the struggle for the total  emancipation of the people of South Africa. Our freedom and democracy will always be constrained and tainted by the continued prevalence of social ills such as poverty, unemployment, bigotry and blatant disregard for the rule of law if we do not stand together and work together.

While we have made tremendous progress in many fronts of our democratic struggle, we are fully conscious of the disturbing conditions in our townships, informal settlements, rural areas and the inner cities. We will not rest until the areas in which our people live are developed and transformed, because the essence of freedom is about restoring dignity to people through change.

It is in line with these sentiments that I would like to welcome the President of the Republic Of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma, the Ministers present, the Mayors and MEC’s present  to this occasion of the Human Rights Day in Gauteng. I would also like to welcome the people of Gauteng who are gathered here today and those who have travelled distances to be with us when honouring and celebrating the great moment in the history of South Africa. We are humbled by your presence.

Dankie. Ngiyabonga.