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THEME- "GOOD GOVERNANCE STARTS AT HOME’

Attention: Editors and Reporters

04 September 2023

Through an extensive consultation process, the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) has conceptualised an intervention targeted at modifying the country's current direction, which appears to be at odds with the values of the democratic state, united in its diversity, as the Constitution envisions. A good and harmonious family system is more than just and legacy. Sustainable families and communities adhere to guiding principles that promote trust, accountable power, the advancement of rights, the protection of the vulnerable and open communication. The Social Harmony Through National Effort (SHiNE) project, speaks to good change from the ground up, such as having family meetings to explore minimising sources of disharmony in the home, increasing communal engagement, locating platforms with meaningful connections and ubuntu.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

01 September 2023

The provincial oral rounds of the School Moot Court competition will be hosted by the South African Human Rights Commission in collaboration with the Free State Education Department, the University of the Free State, and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

1 September 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) in Limpopo Provincial Office will be conducting monitoring in places of detention and stakeholder engagements aimed at curbing tribalism in Limpopo, Vhembe District Municipality.

01 September 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The Northern Cape Provincial Office of the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) will participate in the Provincial Finals of the 2023 National Schools Moot Court Programme in Kimberley. The programme will be held in conjunction with the Northern Cape Provincial Department of Education and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. The programme brings together selected school learners across the province to engage in mock trial scenarios that test their advocacy skills and legal knowledge.

31 August 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or SAHRC) has learned with grief and sadness of the fire that has engulfed the five storey Usindiso building on the corner of Delvers and Alberts Streets in Marshalltown, Johannesburg. The Commission wishes to convey its condolences to those who lost their relatives and friends in this tragedy and to wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured. At the time of writing this statement, reports indicated that more than 70 fatalities and more than 50 injuries had been recorded.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

29 August 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) in Mpumalanga will be conducting a capacity building workshop aimed at empowering Emakhosikati Structure (Wives to Traditional Leaders) on human rights and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). The Commission has identified the Emakhosikati Structure in the province as a strategic stakeholder to be equipped on the subject to empower communities that are confronted by issues of human rights violations daily.

28 August 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in Free State together with the Department of Water and Sanitation and University of the Free State will conduct a stakeholder engagement on water contamination in Parys, Free State. The area falls within the jurisdiction of Ngwathe Local Municipality.

25 August 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

2023 marks 110 years since the enactment of the Natives Land Act of 1913 (Act). The Act enforced a legal limit to African land ownership situated in reserves and homelands to seven percent (7%). The Act further prohibited Africans from entering into any agreement or transaction for the purchase, hire, or other acquisition from a person other than a native.

In an effort to provide redress of this unjust act, Section 25 of the Constitution affirms that a person or community dispossessed of property after 19 June 1913 as a result of past racially discriminatory laws is entitled to either restitution of the property or to equitable redress.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

24 August 2023

The SAHRC Eastern Cape Provincial Office will conduct a human rights champion workshop on 24 and 25 August 2023. The identified human rights champions will be empowered on the mandate of the South African Human Rights Commission and how to be champions for human rights.

22 August 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The Northern Cape Provincial Office will be conducting a community human rights champions workshop in Douglas. The workshop is dedicated to empowering individuals and organisations who are at the forefront of advocating for human rights and social justice within their communities.

22 August 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Then South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC) in Free State together with Legal Aid South Africa will be embarking on the legal clinics across Letsemeng Local Municipality, in Xhariep district between 21 – 25 August 2023. The purpose of these clinics among others, is to educate citizens about their rights as enshrined in chapter two of the Constitution.

21 August 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

In an ongoing effort to champion human rights and foster a more equal, inclusive, tolerant and diverse society in South Africa different stakeholders and role-players will be coming together for a crucial dialogue on equality, inclusivity, tolerance, and diversity. By bringing together a wide spectrum of perspectives and expertise, the dialogue seeks to explore strategies that will lead to a meaningful change at individual, societal and systemic levels. The dialogue will serve as a platform for open discussions on the progress made and challenges faced in the pursuit of equal rights for all citizens of South Africa. It recognizes the collective responsibility to build a nation where equality, inclusivity, tolerance and diversity are not only celebrated but also embraced as a source of strength.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

18 AUGUST 2023

The SAHRC in Eastern Cape will be embarking on various monitoring activities in Sarah Baartman District Municipality and Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. Section 184 (1) (c) of the South African Constitution states that the Commission must monitor and assess the observance of human rights in the Republic. 

Attention: Editors and Reporters

18 August 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) together with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Clive Sithole Ceramics (Durban)/ Phansi Museum, Imiso Ceramics (Cape Town), and Van Schaik Bookstore will host the finalist round/ workshop with the youth which advanced through the first phase of the competition.  The youth finalist round on clay works, is part of the second phase of the Ukhamba Youth Pottery Exhibition and Competition, which is part of the Commissions SHiNE initiative.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

17 August 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) and the Department of Education will be hosting a Provincial Schools Moot Court preparatory workshop to help students prepare for the Provincial round of Schools Moot Court programme. The Commission and the Department of Education are collaborating with the University of the Free State, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and legal experts to provide learners with workshop in preparation for the Provincial School Moot Court Programme.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

17 August 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) and the Department of Education will be hosting a Provincial Schools Moot Court preparatory workshop to help students prepare for the Provincial round of Schools Moot Court programme. The Commission and the Department of Education are collaborating with the University of the Free State, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and legal experts to provide learners with workshop in preparation for the Provincial School Moot Court Programme.

17 August 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The SAHRC KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Office will conduct Human Rights Champions’ Workshop with the Sthabile Community Development Centre NPO located in Amatikwe, Inanda under eThekwini Municipality.

The workshop aims to empower Human Rights Champions on the role they play in supporting democracy, the mandate of the SAHRC and protecting the rights of impoverished communities.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

16 August 2023

The SAHRC in Mpumalanga will be conducting a human rights capacity building workshop for traditional healers’ organisations under the theme “Promoting and Protecting Health Rights”.

Mental health is a public health problem in South African society today. People with mental health conditions are exposed to a wide range of human rights violations. The violations include the stigma and discrimination that often result in such people being excluded from receiving healthcare services and from leading full lives in communities.
16 August 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission Gauteng Provincial Office has noted with concern the continued use of violence during student protest actions in relation to the payment of NSFAS grants.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

16 August 2023

The Commissioners and the North West Provincial Office of the South African Human Rights Commission are scheduled to meet with the Provincial Executive of the North West Province to discuss human rights concerns in the province. Some of the issues of concern include service delivery challenges at the local and provincial government level, governance and leadership challenges faced by some municipalities and provincial departments which impact the realisation of human rights.

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Understanding PAIA

The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.

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