As South Africans commemorate Human Rights Month and Human Rights Day on March 21, we remember the painful history that gave birth to this day.
Thirty years after the dawn of democracy in 1994, South Africa has made important progress under the democratic order led by the ANC. Millions of people have gained access to housing, electricity, social grants, education and basic services that were denied to the majority under apartheid.
However, Human Rights Month must also be a moment of honest reflection and accountability. Many communities continue to experience challenges such as unemployment, inequality, crime, corruption, failing infrastructure and poor service delivery. In places like Cosmo City, residents continue to struggle with issues such as sewer leakages, waste collection backlogs, overcrowded clinics and limited economic opportunities. These realities show that the promise of dignity and equal opportunity is still far from being fully realised.
For many South Africans, human rights have been reduced to survival. Instead of enjoying the full dignity promised in our Constitution, people often feel that their rights have been reduced to what many call “one loaf a day rights” – where communities are expected to celebrate small handouts.
Human rights cannot only exist in our Constitution or be remembered once a year in speeches. Human rights must be lived realities in our homes.
We call on the leadership of the country to rise above political interests and place the needs of the people first.
Buchule Raba, president Cosmo City Residents Association
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