MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mrs Pinky Phosa and the MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mrs Sibongile Manana, brought tears of joy to three elderly women of Sinqobile Village in Daggakraal near Volkrust. Both MEC’s presented blankets and garden tools to the women on Human Rights Day, 21 March 2013.
MEC Phosa and MEC Manana took a detour to Sibathandabenje Stimulation Centre and presented the centre management with a cheque for R104 400 , 5 big pots, 15 mattresses, 30 blankets and a fridge.
The 2013 Human Rights Day Commemoration at Dr Pixley- ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality was celebrated under the provincial theme “The right of access to water and sanitation – our life our dignity!” The Human Rights Day event comes in the wake of the National Celebration of Water Week held in the province, in Amsterdam on the 20 March 2013.
Access to water is a constitutional right, and the provision of this basic human need to all communities is high priority for the Mpumalanga Provincial Government.
The Premier of the Province Hon DD Mabuza in his state of the Province Address in 2013 made this pronouncement “we will accelerate the provision of bulk water and sanitation infrastructure, - Accordingly I am pleased to announce that the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency will be assigned the responsibility to provide support to our municipalities with respect to bulk water and sanitation services, Communities in the province can have a major contribution to make in ensuring water is not wasted”.
Human Rights Day (21 March) is both a stark reminder of the tragic Sharpeville massacre and a celebration of South Africa’s unique constitution, which gives equal rights to all.
