As part of the annual commemorations of the Human Rights Day this year on March 21, 2016, the Premier of the Free State, Ace Magashule, will lead a Provincial Government delegation to Sharpeville.
The delegation will comprise of Members of the Executive Council (MECs), other Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs), Mayors, senior government officials, members of various faith-based organisations, business people and members of civil society.
Following the passing of repressive pass laws that controlled and directed Black South Africans’ movement and employment in the country of their origin, liberation movements led by the African National Congress (ANC) organized campaigns intended to mobilize society against the carrying of passes.
To initiate a process of resistance against pass laws, then ANC President General Chief Albert Luthuli declared 1960 the “Year of the Pass”. Other organizations like the PAC also joined the anti-pass campaigns and on 21 March 1960, 56 years ago, more than 5 000 people converged at the Sharpeville Police Station to demand the scrapping of the pass laws.
The police responded to these marches by firing live ammunition at them. As a result of these shootings, 69 black protesters were killed, while about 180 were injured. Since 1994, this day is commemorated as Human Rights Day, and is a public holiday.
“We call on South Africans to remember those who died fighting to ensure that all South Africans, black and white, enjoy equal human rights. We dare not forget those whose lives were cut short simply because they called for justice”, says Premier Magashule.
“We have decided to commemorate Human Rights Day right where it all started; in Sharpeville, because we want to remember and honour those whose bravery increased the momentum of the struggle”, concludes the Premier.
Enquiries:
Tiisetso Makhele
Spokesperson to the Premier
Cell: 076 833 0033
Email: tiisetso.makhele@fspremier.gov.za
Pulane Tsupane
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 071 3022 595 or 073 195 6558
Email: pulane.tsupane@fspremier.gov.za
