The state is entrusted with the responsibility to promote, protect and fulfil the realisation of human rights. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission), is mandated by Section 184 of the Constitution to promote, protect, and monitor the observance of human rights in the republic.
In fulfilling its mandate, the Commission is enjoined to investigate complaints and monitor how government and other actors executes its responsibility of ensuring progressive realisation of human rights.
The Commission has used its investigative, research and monitoring work to bring to the fore current prevalent human rights challenges and to develop its human rights month’s awareness activity plan. Key reports released during the 2025/26 financial year, with findings and recommendations are listed below: Rights of the Rastafari Report, Right to Food Webinar, SAHRC Schools Readiness Report, Monitoring Recommendations Report, International and Regional Human Rights, Policy Brief: How to Address Systemic Sabotage of Essential Water Infrastructure, North West Scholar Transport Report, SAHRC Walter Sisulu Unrest Report December, Investigative Report on Allegations of Racial Discrimination of Racial in Hartbeespoort, North West Service Delivery Final Investigative Report, Section 184 (3) Report, Final Investigation Report Pinelands High School, and Final Investigative Report into the Conditions at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital.
Below are some of the key activities to be undertaken by the Commission to address human rights violations:
|
Office |
Date & Time |
Activity |
Location |
|
|
13-20 March |
Anti - racism week activities. |
Various |
|
21 March |
National Human Rights Day Commemoration- The Presidency, DSAC & DOJ. |
AR Abass Stadium, Kimberley |
|
|
26-29 March
|
Human Rights Festival.
|
Constitution Hill Precinct |
|
|
Eastern Cape
|
9 March |
Annual Human Rights Guest Lecture to be delivered by the SAHRC Chairperson. |
University of Fort Hare, East London |
|
13 March |
Activation- Walkabout. |
East London Taxi Ranks |
|
|
30 March |
Dialogue on human rights. |
Midlands College |
|
|
Free State
|
16 March |
Youth seminar. |
Viljoeskroon |
|
17 March |
Community dialogue on service delivery challenges in the area. |
Bothaville |
|
|
18 March |
Door-to-door awareness campaign. |
Wesselsbron |
|
|
19 March |
HRD activation |
Bultfontein |
|
|
Gauteng |
19 March |
Outreach on "Artful expression of human rights through the lens of learners." |
Randfontein |
|
Kwa Zulu Natal
|
18 March |
Information session. |
Vezobala High Schools, Mtubatuba |
|
19 March |
Community engagement as part of pre–Human Rights Day activation. |
Sithambi Community Hall, Pongola |
|
|
20 March
|
Community dialogue in commemoration of Human Rights Day. |
Ndumo Department of Social Development Centre, Jozini |
|
|
21 March
|
Human Rights Day Commemoration (hosted by eThekwini Municipality). |
KwaMashu Indoor Sport Centre, KwaMashu, Durban |
|
|
27 March |
Information session on Older Persons. |
Gamalakhe ZG Hall, Port Shepstone |
|
|
Limpopo
|
3 March |
Human Rights Month launch. |
Giyani |
|
11 March |
Round table discussion on human rights violations in the area. |
Thohoyandou |
|
|
17 March |
Seminar for traditional leaders focusing on their role in mining activities |
Burgersfort |
|
|
21 March
|
Human Rights Day commemoration. |
Mokgophong/ Modimolle |
|
|
26 March |
Roundtable discussion on human rights violations in the area. |
Polokwane |
|
|
Mpumalanga
|
9 – 15 March |
Human rights awareness campaign/ roadshow. |
All the three districts of the province-Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande & Nkangala |
|
21 March |
Human Rights Day commemoration. |
Bushbuckridge Local Municipality |
|
|
Northern Cape
|
18 -19 March |
Training of human rights champions. |
Kimberley Library |
|
20 March |
Human rights lecture. |
Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley |
|
|
North West
|
10 – 13 March |
Training workshops for Dept of Health.
|
Rustenburg |
|
16 – 18 March
|
Information and awareness session on diversity & inclusivity.
|
ORBIT TVET Campuses – Rustenburg, Brits and Mankwe |
|
|
20 March |
Human Rights Day Commemoration. |
Virtual |
|
|
Western Cape
|
11 March |
Awareness campaign on sign language as a human right and solutions to access challenges faced by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons. |
Cape Town- WC Provincial Office |
|
18 March |
Outreach activity on Language as a human right. |
School for the Deaf |
|
|
Commissioners’ Unit
|
4-5 March |
Conference on humane and responsible border migration.
|
Sandton, Johannesburg |
|
12-20 March |
National Inquiry into the Food Systems of South Africa. |
Nelson Mandela Foundation |
|
|
24-25 March |
Indaba on Realising Socio-Economic Rights through Pro-Poor Human Rights Budgeting and Equitable Share. |
Wits School of Governance |
ENDS
Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission