President Cyril Ramaphosa says since the advent of democracy, government have strived to build a society that recognises the injustices of the past while advancing reconciliation and national unity.
“That is why as a country we have chosen 21 March as an occasion to recommit ourselves to the advancement of human rights for all,” President Ramaphosa said.
In his weekly newsletter, President Ramaphosa said since the dawn of democracy, South Africans have been able to exercise their rights freely, and many know that they can approach the independent courts and the institutions supporting democracy if their rights are infringed or violated.
“We can be proud that South Africans are confident they have a voice and a say in how their country is run, demonstrated by the fact that we have held successive free and fair elections since 1994,” President Ramaphosa said.
President Ramaphosa said in South Africa today, all citizens, African, white, Indian and coloured, male and female, enjoy equal rights and freedoms that the state is obliged to uphold, protect and advance.
“In South Africa today, there are constitutional protections guaranteed to all racial, cultural and linguistic groups, including their right to enjoy their culture and to use their language.
“As South Africans we should therefore reject the politics of divisiveness that is emerging in many parts of the world. In particular, we should challenge the completely false narrative that our country is a place in which people of a certain race or culture are being targeted for persecution.
“We should not allow events beyond our shores to divide us or turn us against each other. Since the end of apartheid our country has been recognised globally for upholding human rights. The free flow of ideas and opinions are vital to democracy and to having a vibrant society,” the President said.
The President said even those with the most offensive views should know that in the democratic South Africa, and unlike in many other parts of the world, the constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression, as long as it does not include incitement to violence or advocacy of racial and other hatred.
“Since we attained our freedom, South Africans have been steadfast in our solidarity with peoples everywhere who are facing persecution, discrimination and the violation of their rights.
“Human rights are universal and indivisible. As South Africa we stand in solidarity with all those whose right to lead lives of dignity are being undermined by conflict and war. As a country we will continue to repeat our call for a renewed global human rights movement so that the rights and dignity of all people should be upheld.
“As we reflect on the state of human rights in South Africa during this month, let us be proud of our achievements as a country. At the same time, let us recommit ourselves to working together to ensure our human rights culture is upheld and strengthened,” President Ramaphosa said.
South Africa commemorates National Human Rights Day on 21 March to remember the Sharpeville massacre, where apartheid police killed 69 peaceful protesters against the regime in 1960.
March 2025 marks over six decades since the painful events of 21 March 1960 where 69 lives were lost in the Sharpeville Massacre. The massacre came to be as a result of citizens choosing to protest against the then pass laws of the apartheid government. – SAnews.gov.za
