Human Rights Commission to Host a Two-day Conference on the Right to Equality

The South African Human Rights Commission in conjunction with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and the South African National Anti-Discrimination Forum Faze 2 will host a two-day conference on the right to equality from 24-25 June 2004.

Inspite of the Constitution, the Employment Equity Act and the Promotion of Equality and the Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, inequality and discrimination in education, health status, access to land, income and employment persist after ten years of democracy.

The purpose of the conference is to:
i.  discuss the progress on promotion of equality in the past decade
ii. discuss the development of equality jurisprudence in South Africa
iii. assess the progress made by equality courts in preventing and prohibiting unfair discrimination
iv. identify the challenges facing equality in the 2nd decade of democracy
v. come up with suggestions as to how substantive equality can be achieved

Advocate Johnny de Lange, Deputy Minister of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, will deliver the official opening speech of the conference. Some of the speakers at the conference include Professor Shadrack Gutto, Head of Center for African Renaissance Studies at the University of South Africa; Mr. Willie Madisha, the President of COSATU; Mr. Flip Buys from Solidariteit Union; Advocate Dali Mpofu from Altron; Advocate Thuli Madonsela, a Commissioner with the Employment Equity Commission; Constitutional Court Judge Kate O’Regan; and Mr. Zolani Mtshontshisa from Mvelaphanda Holdings. 

Details of the Launch:
Date: 24-25 June 2004
Venue: 29 Princesses of Wales Terrace, Corner York and St. Andrews, Parktown
Time: 9:00am for 9:30am-5: 00pm