17 March 2009
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government will host a mass celebration to
commemorate the gains of peace and democracy as well as the inculcation of a
culture of human rights in the province over the past five years.
Premier Sibusiso Ndebele will deliver the keynote address at the event which
will be held on Human Rights Day.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the celebration. This event will
also mark the official launch of 11 district human rights forums for the
various districts in the province. The core function of the human rights forums
is to carry out human rights education and provide a platform where human
rights violations can be reported.
The theme for the event is âKwaZulu-Natal advancing peace, democracy and
human rights.
Since 2004, the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Provincial Government has worked
tirelessly towards advancing peace, democracy and human rights in the province.
The human rights programme of Government has been strengthened and
consolidated.
The KZN citizenâs charter introduced a human rights based approach to
service delivery and development in the province. Government has also made
numerous interventions in cases where human rights violations were evident.
These include:
* When the sugar cane serial murders occurred at Umzinto, we actively
supported the affected families of victims,
* When the rights of women to wear pants were violated at Umlazi, we assisted
them at the Equality Court, and
* When the house of Zandile Mpanza was burnt, we assisted her to build another
house.
Further, it was only in 2004 that a dedicated component for childrenâs
rights and the rights of people with disabilities, were established in the
province. In 2006, the office on the rights of older persons was
established.
Over the past four years, the office on the status of women has strengthened
the co-ordination of the provincial gender machinery, advancing the rights of
women and gender equality.
All media are invited to attend. For accreditation purposes, all journalists
must confirm their attendance by no later than 16h00 on Wednesday, 18 March
2009, with Nothando Sibiya on 033-341 3342 or sibiyanz@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: Saturday, 21 March 2009
Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban
Time: 10h30
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Premier spokesperson
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
Cell: 083 644 4050
E-mail: maistryl@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
17 March 2009
