Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
22 March 2024 | 11:30 CAT
2 min read

Human Rights Day holds a profound significance in our nation’s history. It offers us the chance to assess the strides made in advancing the cause of human rights while acknowledging the persistent challenges plaguing our society.

Despite this year’s thematic focus on “Three Decades of Respect for and Promotion of Human Rights,” according to Mmusi Maimane, “Every day is a human rights violation day in South Africa.”

The events of March 21, 1960, initially intended as a peaceful protest against the apartheid pass laws, tragically unfolded into a massacre when police opened fire, claiming the lives of 69 individuals, including 29 children, and injuring over 180 others.

This pivotal day stands as a profound turning point in South African history, catalysing an escalated armed struggle for liberation against the oppressive and inhumane apartheid regime.

In an interview with Radio Islam, Mmusi Maimane, the leader of Build One South Africa (BOSA), reflected on the ongoing challenges in South Africa and why every day is a ‘human rights violation day’.

Speaking about the Sharpeville protest, he said: “These people were fighting for dignity and for their humanity not to be defined by arbitrary things like the passbook or the education they get, and we have to ask, does the South African government protect that right? Because more than half of the citizens live above the poverty line.”

Maimane emphasised that the essence of human rights becomes hollow when there is a lack of government commitment to protect them, compounded by an inadequate police force unable to curb the staggering rate of approximately 83 murders per day.

“When you don’t have an education system that works for people, their rights are being violated; when you don’t have a police, their rights are violated; when you don’t have a job, your right to dignity is violated because poverty robs people of their dignity,” he said.

Maimane asserts that discussions about Human Rights Day necessitate governments capable of upholding and preserving the rights of their citizens. However, he contends that the current government falls short of fulfilling this role effectively.

“We should not forget that it was 69 people killed on this day, but 83 people being killed every day,” he said.

He underscored several troubling issues concerning human rights violations, pointing out that poverty is increasingly pervasive in our society. Moreover, remnants of the Bantu education system persist within the education sector, raising concerns about its equity and quality. Additionally, the prevalent crime rates raise significant safety concerns among the populace.

“As those rights are being violated, it forces people to believe that the only way to prosper is to be dependent on and connected to the government. Those are not human rights; they are man-made rights given by human beings and can be taken away. Therefore, we need a government that always preserves the Constitution,” he said.

According to Maimane, today, we find ourselves with a police service that appears incapable of safeguarding citizens as criminals continue to snatch away lives unabated. He highlighted the tragic escalation of the daily death toll in South Africa.

Maimane emphasised that the ultimate pinnacle of accountability lies with the voter.

“We have to ensure people vote correctly. We have to act to show we are serious about corruption. People should be jailed for corruption,” he said.

LISTEN to the full interview with Muallimah Annisa Essack and BOSA Leader, Mmusi Maimane, here.