Freedom day is a reminder that many rights that people have and are able to exercise today were not freely attained. Many people who dared the apartheid regime were displaced, tortured and killed for rightfully demanding fundamental human rights such as equality, freedom and justice for all as enshrined in the Freedom Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It is for this reason that Section 12 of the South African Constitution states that Everyone has the right to freedom and security of the person, which includes the right – not to be deprived of freedom arbitrary or without just cause.

As the country gather to celebrate Freedom Day, the Commission calls upon those in authority at every sphere of government to use the opportunity to revisit the Constitutional imperatives and the Bill of Rights. We call upon all spheres of Government to be human rights centred when discharging their responsibilities and to play key roles to intensify constitutional literacy.

Freedom Day reminds us of the rights we have and how to claim them when they are violated. It is through constitutional and human rights awareness that everyone in the country can play an active citizenry role and hold those in power to account in order to strengthen constitutional democracy.

Freedom day must always reminds us that in order to address inequality, as the most unequal society in the world, there is an urgent need to reposition our attitudes and work together to bring about positive change. Historically disadvantaged people continue to be systematically excluded in economic and social activities thus continuing to deepen poverty, inequality, development and lack of social harmony. In addition, challenges such as corruption, maladministration, lack of service delivery, and stagnant economic growth continue to have a massive impact on particularly the poor and marginalised people.

As such, the Commission calls on every government department do discharge their mandates to deliver services and all role players to play their roles to accelerate programmes aimed at addressing poverty, inequality and development in our country. Law enforcement agencies must act without fear or favour to enforce the law to ensure the safety of all within the country and must intensify their efforts to hold those involved in corrupt activities to account. Corruption and lack of service delivery steals from the poor and marginalised.

South Africa has in the last 31 years been at the forefront of defending people’s rights in our country and abroad including the rights of Palestinians and LGBTQIA+ persons. The South African Constitution is hailed as one of the most progressive and transformative Constitutions in the world. It protects all citizens and also provides avenues for recourse where there are violations of rights for either individuals or groups.

ENDS

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

For further information or inquiries, please contact Wisani Baloyi, SAHRC Communications Coordinator on 081 016 8308 or  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Given Makhuvele on 072 197 7581 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.