March 21st isn’t just a date on the calendar in South Africa; it’s Human Rights Day, a powerful echo of the long struggle for the fundamental rights and freedoms we hold dear. It’s a day to remember the sacrifices made in the pursuit of equality, particularly the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960, where apartheid police killed peaceful protestors.
Human Rights and Active Citizenship
The concept of human rights has deep roots, tracing back to ancient philosophers and echoing throughout history. However, translating these ideals into reality was a constant fight. In South Africa, the fight for human rights was a long and brutal one, culminating in the end of apartheid. Human Rights Day commemorates this struggle, reminding us that these rights are not a given but a promise that requires ongoing action.
Empowered Citizenship
Passive acceptance did not win the victories enshrined in human rights documents but by generations of active citizens who raised their voices and demanded change. Today, new challenges threaten these hard-won rights. Issues like access to quality education, online safety, ensuring corruption is uprooted, poverty is intentionally brought to an end and environmental protection all have a human rights dimension that affects every single person.
With their inherent sense of justice and future stake in society, young people have a vital role to play in addressing them. Do we not owe it to the voices and faces that fought so bravely to take it upon ourselves to be more than passive citizens? Do we not owe it to ourselves and future generations, no matter how impossible certain tasks may seem?
Taking Up the Torch
Active citizenship empowers South Africans, in particular, to become the next generation of human rights champions. It allows us all to:
- Hold Government Accountable
- Advocate for Change
- Promote Inclusivity
Actively participating doesn’t require grand gestures. Simple steps like volunteering for human rights organisations, attending workshops, capitalising on the right to vote or starting conversations with friends and family can all make a difference.
CC Currencies Directors remind us that the economy of South Africa depends on politics, financial and fiscal controls, business and the people. Business people need to share the role of the country’s sustainable economic future, support change and address corruption.
Human Rights Day is a call to action. It’s a day to remember the legacy of active citizenship in South Africa’s fight for equality and embrace our power to shape a more just and equitable future.
Let’s honour the struggles of the past by becoming active citizens who ensure the promise of human rights is a reality for all in South Africa!
