As South Africa commemorates Human Rights Day today (Tuesday 21 March), DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette quizzed community activists in the Helderberg about their thoughts on what the day means to them and the challenges they feel many still face today.
Ellen Myburgh from Sir Lowry’s Pass: “We have to work together continually to uphold the culture of human rights. It is our responsibility as a community to ensure everyone respects the rule of law, whether it be at work, at school, at home. We all have a role to play. The responsibility is ours. Corruption is huge. It robs our people of so many things that could be of help to change their situations. There is a saying that says “a little bit goes a long way”, so a little bit of effort required to do one little job, even if just for the shortest time can encourage responsibility from somebody, being a responsible citizen who not only provides for a short time, but also feels alive again. Just that routine of waking up, taking a bath, looking decent and undertaking tasks at work or for some charity organisation are enough to make one feel one matters and can effect change.”Foto:
Zorah Motasi van Strand: “As mens is ons instaat om goed te doen teenoor jou medemens maar terseldertyd ook om kwaad doen. Die vraag is; Wat kies jy? Die viering van Menseregtedag is vir my as ’n Suid Afrikaanse vrou en veral as ’n aktivist wat daagliks veg vir ander se regte, een van die mees insiggewende openbare vakansie dae in Suid afrika. Menseregte beteken vir my die respek, beskerming en bevordering van die basiese menseregte van elke persoon soos vervat in die Suid Afrikaanse grondwet en Bill of Rights. Die geliefde Nelson Mandela het die stelling gemaak om mense van hulle menseregte te ontneem is gelyk aan om hul menswees te bevraagteken. Menseregte dag is om ons te herinner aan ’n tydperk in ons verlede, Sharpeville 21 Maart 1960, toe ons nie so mooi was nie en dat ons kan opstyg uit die moeras en beter doen. As ’n verdediger van ander se menseregte wil ek myself nooit bevind as ’n toeskouer van die vertrapping van mense se regte nie en die normalisering van geweld en misdaad in die samelewing aanvaar nie, veral teenoor die mees weerlose.”Foto:
