Though significant gains in the promotion, development and protection of human rights have been made since the advent of democracy, more still has to be done to ensure that human rights, equality and freedom is permanently entrenched in the lives of ordinary South Africans, Premier Thandi Modise said on Saturday.
Premier Modise urged over a thousand people, traditional leaders, faith leaders and cultural groups that attended the Provincial Human Rights Celebration commemorated at the Mmabatho Stadium in Mahikeng under the theme” 20 Years of Freedom and Democracy; Our Future; Make it work!” not to take their freedom and human rights for granted.
The Premier said that the bill of rights is a cornerstone of our democracy as it enshrines the right of all people in the country and affirms the democratic value of human rights, equality and freedom and enjoin government to respect, protect and fulfill the rights in the bill of rights.
“We commemorate Human Rights Month to reinforce our commitment to the Bill of Rights enshrined in our constitution and celebrate the right to life, to equality before the law, human dignity, freedom and security of the person, freedom from slavery, servitude or forded labour, the right to privacy, freedom of movement, religion, belief and opinion as well as the right of workers, women and children,” Modise emphasised.
She said that South Africans should be proud to be living in a wonderful country that is a much better place to live in now that it was twenty years ago despite challenges in some areas.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
