Media Statements

The African National Congress (ANC) joins the people of South Africa in commemorating Human Rights Day, a solemn occasion that reminds us of the sacrifices made in the struggle for freedom, dignity, and equality.

This day marks the tragic events of 21 March 1960, when the apartheid regime mercilessly gunned down unarmed protesters in Sharpeville for standing up against the oppressive pass laws. Their bravery, along with the courage of countless others, paved the way for the democratic South Africa we live in today. We honour their memory and recommit ourselves to advancing the human rights they fought and died for.

This year, as we mark the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, we are reminded that the vision of a just and equal society is not new—it was proclaimed by the people of South Africa in 1955 when they declared that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white.” This declaration found expression in our democratic Constitution, which enshrines the rights and freedoms of every person, ensuring that never again shall any South African suffer discrimination, oppression, or exclusion. The ANC remains steadfast in upholding the values of the Freedom Charter and the Constitution as the foundation of our democracy and the guiding principles of our governance.

On this Human Rights Day, we call on all South Africans to unite in defending our democracy and rejecting those who seek to take us back to the injustices of apartheid. We must resist any divisive narratives that seek to pit communities against each other or falsely claim that any group is oppressed in our democratic South Africa. The ANC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to human rights, transformation, and nation-building, ensuring that all people, regardless of race, gender, or background, enjoy the freedoms and opportunities guaranteed by our hard-won democracy.

Let us work together to build a South Africa where the rights of all are protected, the dignity of all is respected, and the future of all is secured. Deepening a culture of social justice and human rights!

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