COMMENTS

  1. What is Human Rights Day and Why We Celebrate on March 21

    When South Africa held its first democratic election in 1994, the newly elected president, Nelson Mandela, declared the 21st of March as Human Rights Day. The Sharpeville Massacre is a tragedy that marked a turning point for the future of South Africa. Human Rights Day shines a light on the ordinary people who fought for their fundamental ...

  2. The History of Human Rights Day in South Africa

    The Origin of Human Rights Day. 1. Sharpeville Massacre. One of the defining moments in South Africa's history occurred on March 21, 1960, when police opened fire on peaceful protesters in Sharpeville, resulting in the deaths of 69 people and injuring hundreds more. This tragic event, known as the Sharpeville Massacre, marked a turning point ...

  3. Celebrating Human Rights Day in South Africa: A Tribute to Resilience

    Introduction. Human Rights Day holds profound significance in South Africa as it honors the events that occurred in Sharpeville in 1960. Today, it serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by countless individuals in the fight against apartheid and oppression, as well as a celebration of the progress made towards building a more inclusive and equal society.

  4. Human Rights Day: an opportunity to remember, reflect and rethink

    Concern for human rights beyond South Africa . We cannot, in 2022, celebrate Human Rights Day without noting the human rights violations and humanitarian atrocities taking place in other parts of our continent, for example, in Mali and in the Cabo Delgado Province of Mozambique across the world, in particular, in Ukraine.

  5. What Is The Purpose Of Human Rights Day

    Explain how and when Human Rights Day was established in South Africa. Discuss the significance of December 10th (NOT 21 March), the date the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations. Purpose of Human Rights Day. Discuss the importance of raising awareness about human rights.

  6. Human Rights Day

    21 March. Human Rights Day is a national day that is commemorated annually on 21 March to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in South Africa. President Jacob Zuma will address this year's Human Rights Day celebrations at the Sharpeville Cricket Grounds in Gauteng.

  7. Human Rights Day is celebrated for the first time in South Africa

    21 March 1995. Since 1995, Human Rights Day has been a public holiday celebrated in South Africa. It shares the day with the anniversary of the infamous Sharpeville Massacre, which occurred in 1960. This gross violation of human life happened when a march by ordinary South Africans protesting the Pass Laws turned into a police-led bloodbath.

  8. LISTICLE: History of Human Rights Day in SA

    When South Africa held its first democratic election, 21 March - Human Rights Day - was officially proclaimed a public holiday. On the day, South Africans are asked to reflect on their rights, to protect their rights and the rights of all people from violation, irrespective of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, whether they are ...

  9. Human Rights Day

    The Bill of Rights embeds the rights of all people in our country in an enduring affirmation of the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. Human Rights Day, 21 March. Human Rights Day in South Africa is historically linked with 21 March 1960, and the events of Sharpeville. On that day 69 people died and 180 were wounded when ...

  10. The significance of Human Rights Day

    South Africa is no exception. For years under white rule, "Dingaan's Day" or the "Day of The Covenant" ("Geloftedag" in Afrikaans), as it was later renamed, was celebrated on December 16 th to commemorate the triumph of the Voortrekkers over the Zulu army led by Dingaan at the Battle of Blood River in 1838. Now, in the new South ...

  11. The Origin of Human Rights Day in South Africa

    By Rowan Morar. South Africa's constitutional dispensation designates 21 March Human Rights Day, a national holiday which serves to commemorate those slain and injured during the Sharpeville Protests of 1960, and which calls for the recollection of the sacrifices made to ensure the enjoyment of human rights by all people within South Africa.

  12. Human Rights Day 2022

    Human Rights Day 2022. 21 March. Human Rights Day in South Africa is historically linked with 21 March 1960, and the events of Sharpeville. On that day 69 people died and 180 were wounded when police fired on a peaceful crowd that had gathered in protest against the Pass laws. This day marked an affirmation by ordinary people, rising in unison ...

  13. Opinion Piece: Reflection on the Importance of Human Rights Day

    South Africa's Human Rights Day is a national day historically linked to the Sharpeville events of 21 March 1960. It is commemorated each year in order to remind South Africans of the sacrifices that came with achieving democracy. As a result of the commemoration, the country has an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in the protection ...

  14. Why do we celebrate Human Rights Day in South Africa?

    Human Rights Day is celebrated in remembrance and commemoration of the 1962 Sharpeville Massacre, and the establishment of the SAHRC which was launched on the day in 1996. The significance of Human Rights Day in South Africa is two-fold. The holiday is observed annually on 21 March to commemorate and celebrate the lives lost during the 1962 ...

  15. Human Rights Day, 21 March

    The day is linked with the events of Sharpeville on 21 March 1960. Almost 70 people died and 180 more were wounded when police opened fire on a peaceful crowd that was protesting the country's ...

  16. Human Rights Day 2021

    South Africa will this year commemorate Human Rights Month under the theme: "The year of Charlotte Maxeke: promoting human rights in the Age of COVID-19". Human Rights Day will be celebrated on 21 March 2021 in the Eastern Cape in the form of a virtual event. The history of Human Rights Day is grounded in the Sharpeville Massacre that took ...

  17. SA commemorates Human Rights Day: Why is it so significant?

    21-03-22 09:55. in News. Human Rights Day commemorating Sharpeville massacre Photo source: Flickr. Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on 21 March in South Africa and is considered an ...

  18. 7 Historic & Ongoing Fights for Human Rights in South Africa You Should

    As South Africa celebrates Human Rights Day, the country reflects on a day defined by the horrific Sharpeville massacre. That day, March 21, 1960, began with demonstrations in the township of Sharpeville against the apartheid government's pass laws, which restricted the rights of the Black people in the country. ...

  19. PDF National Human Rights

    Human Rights Day South Africa's National Human Rights Day is celebrated on the 21st of March. The day is dedicated to celebrating our unique constitution, and the Bill of Rights in particular. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) aims to "promote respect for human rights, promote the protection, development and attainment of

  20. Media Release: Parliament Statement on Human Rights Day

    Human Rights Day in South Africa is historically linked with the events in Sharpeville on 21 March 1960 when 69 people died and 180 were wounded when police fired on a peaceful crowd that had gathered to protest against the Pass laws. This day marks an affirmation by ordinary people, rising in unison to proclaim their rights.

  21. Human rights in South Africa

    Human rights in South Africa are protected under the constitution.The 1998 Human Rights report by Myles Nadioo noted that the government generally respected the rights of the citizens; however, there were concerns over the use of force by law enforcement, legal proceedings and discrimination. [1] The Human Rights Commission is mandated by the South African Constitution and the Human Rights ...

  22. Human Rights Day

    People united to proclaim their rights on 21 March and it became an iconic date in the history of South Africa. Nelson Mandela proclaimed 21 March to be a public holiday where people are asked to reflect on their rights. The horrific events on 21 March 1960 exposed the Apartheid government's actions to the world.

  23. Parliament Statement on Human Rights Day

    The Bill of Rights enshrined in Chapter 2 of our constitution embeds the rights of all people in our country and addresses South Africa's past of oppression, colonialism, slavery, racism and sexism and other forms of human violations. This day should also serve as a stark reminder of the sacrifice and cost paid through bloodshed for the ...

  24. Empowering Youth for a Digital Future: Closing the Digital Divide and

    The UNDP South Africa " National Human Development Report 2022: Harnessing the Employability of South Africa's Youth " identified the digital economy as a viable hub for job creation and recommended that the country leverages its opportunities by empowering youth for the new world of work. The report also notes the associated socioeconomic challenges that may hamper the digital ...