Human Rights Day in South Africa is linked with 21 March 1960, and the events of Sharpeville. This year marks the 56th anniversary of that fateful day where peaceful demonstrators protesting against the vicious system of apartheid were brutally massacred.
We commemorate this month to remind ourselves about the sacrifices made in the attainment of democracy in South Africa. The Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature pays tribute to those who suffered for justice and freedom as many people perished for this cause.
Human Rights violation is the most disgraceful act throughout the history of human kind whether it is based on race or ethnicity, gender, beliefs or class. We condemn in the strongest possible terms all human rights violations that are taking place in our society.
As an institution founded in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the Legislature understands its constitutional responsibility to respect and safeguard human rights against violation thereof.
The Legislature’s commitment to assist the State in its quest to uphold and protect human rights can be traced from its vision, which is to be “A People’s Assembly for good governance to realise service excellence”.
For us, good governance is not merely about ensuring a clean administration; it is also about ensuring that we operate within the framework provided for in the Bill of Rights. It is also about ensuring that foundational values of dignity, freedom and equality guide all our operations and interaction with internal and external stakeholders.
The Constitution empowers the Legislature to pass laws. It is therefore our mission that the laws we pass will unremittingly ensure that citizens’ rights are upheld. For the first few years of our freedom the democratically elected government repealed apartheid laws and prescripts to ensure equal rights and protection before the law to all South Africans.
As we all are aware, the Eastern Cape Province is not immune to incidents of human rights violations such as racism, killing of women, children and men, practices such as ukuthwala, alleged witchcraft killings, rape, domestic violence, false prophets and pastors who mislead people making their followers engage in bizarre activities amongst others.
The Legislature therefore commits itself to continue ensuring that human rights and dignity of the people of the Province are forever protected. To move our country forward and towards non-racialism we must collectively confront racism that has raised its ugly head. We must do more to guarantee that South Africa belongs to all who live in it and that we are united in our diversity.
Enquiries:
Bulelwa Ganyaza (CPRP)
Senior Manager: Media Liaison
Tel: 040 608 0234
Cell: 071 642 3490
Fax: 086 268 2809
E-mail: bganyaza@ecleg.gov.za
