As the ANC, we particularly cherish this day as a chance to pause and remember how far we have come in the struggle for basic human rights. We see the Sharpeville massacre as a major turning point in that long walk to freedom.
As the ANC, we particularly cherish this day as a chance to pause and remember how far we have come in the struggle for basic human rights. We see the Sharpeville massacre as a major turning point in that long walk to freedom.
On that day, the weakness of peaceful protest was exposed, as the police mowed down people who were peacefully demonstrating.
From then on, it was clear the struggle would have to become more forceful and meet violence with violence.
Our freedom today from such gross violations of human rights is the most fundamental achievement in the 103 years of the ANC’s existence.
The hated pass laws were the ultimate symbol of all the racial discrimination that existed under apartheid and colonialism.
They had long been the focus of concerted resistance before the fatal day in Sharpeville.
Today, we are indeed relieved to turn our attention to deepening all aspects of human rights, as the nation gets reconstructed.
The central guardians of human rights today are our judicial system, working closely with the SAPS.
In Makana, we are especially blessed to have been able to retain the seat of the High Court, and all its related services, due to the unity and commitment of our entire community.
We enjoy the privilege of easy access to the best that our legal system has to offer.
Further, we have recently seen the SAPS move into the townships, with a new, comprehensive facility opened in Joza in 2014.
Within the municipal sphere, the ANC has created structures to keep people informed of their basic rights and access to government services.
Ward councillors have offices within easy reach of all citizens.
These are serviced by Ward Committees of 10 members, and a full-time Community Development Worker.
They work constantly on ensuring that people who qualify are receiving social grants, and getting necessary documents, such as IDs.
It is government policy to provide free basic services to the poor, and the work of enrolling people who are indigent is ongoing.
As our Constitution says, everyone has basic human rights to health care, food, water and appropriate social assistance.
As stipulated, ‘The state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of each of these rights.’
(Bill of Rights 27 (2).) Our massive collective effort, with support from all spheres of government, to tackle our deep-rooted water crisis was clearly spelt out at last week’s Water Indaba.
The task of bringing this basic service to the majority of citizens who were previously disenfranchised is moving ahead and Makana has been earmarked as a special case study for national benchmarking, due to high levels of inter-sectoral cooperation, including the full support of Rhodes University.
This nation is being built! * Julia Wells is ANC Chief Whip in the Makana Council.
