Statement by Pregs Govender, Deputy Chair of the South African Human Rights Commission

28 August 2012

The tragic killing of over 30 Lonmin workers at Marikana has re-focused the spotlight on the living and working conditions of those who died and bring an added urgency to the South African Human Rights Commission’s provincial hearings on ‘Water is life; Sanitation is dignity’. These hearings also honour the memory of Commissioner Sandi Baai, who passed away on the 15 August, who strongly believed that those in positions of power must listen closely to people who are poor, especially when they make and implement policy.

Thursday, 25 August 2011

By Commissioner Sandile Baai, SAHRC Commissioner responsible for the right to housing

On behalf of the Commission, I would like to thank you for responding to our invitation to attend this media briefing.

On the 08th of February 2010, the Commission received a complaint from Agri-SA against the Minister of Human Settlements, Mr Tokyo Sexwale, for the remarks he made during an interview on the SABC - Morning Live Programme, on the 03rd of November 2009.

28th April to 12th May 2011 Banjul, The Gambia

By Chairperson Lourence Mushwana, Commissioner responsible for Migration & Equality  

Your Excellency Representative of the Government of the Gambia,Your Excellency Representative of the African Union,
Your Excellency Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights,
Dear Commissioners members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights,
Your Excellencies Diplomats accredited to the Gambia,State delegates and Participants
Invited guests,

28th April to 12th MAY 2011 BANJUL, THE GAMBIA

SAHRC statement

Chairperson, Commissioners of the African Commission, Distinguished guests, States delegates, Friends and delegates from NHRIs Friends and Delegates from Non-governmental organisations, all protocol observed

21 March 2011

By Chairperson Lourence Mushwana, Commissioner responsible for Migration & Equality 

Ladies and Gentlemen, today is Human Rights Day, a day in which we take stock of the progress we are making in our efforts to promote, develop and protect human rights in our country since the dawn of democracy in 1994.
On this day we commemorate in particular the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, in which more than 60 unarmed black people were shot and killed by the apartheid police during a peaceful protest march organized by PAC against the oppressive and undignified pass laws that were enforced against the will of black people in this country.

25 February 2011

By Pregs Govender, SAHRC Deputy Chairperson, responsible for Basic Services & Health Care

“Transforming society, Securing rights, Restoring dignity”

My address on the purpose of today’s event, is entitled ‘Transforming society, securing rights, restoring dignity’ – the mission of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The South Africa Human Rights Commission is mandated by our Constitution to promote and monitor the development, attainment and protection of human rights in our country. It is also mandated to help build a culture that respects human rights.

Date: Thursday, 24 February 2011

An analysis conducted by the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) and the Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute on the national Budget released yesterday, revealed that there is congruence between the intentions of the State of the Nation Address and the overall budget allocations.

01 August 2015

By Deputy Chairperson Pregs Govender, Commissioner responsible for Basic Services & Health Care

The song of women on the march in 1956, Wathint’Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo, honours the love that ensures the survival of millions of families and communities.

One of the meanings of imbokodo is “grinding stone”, referring to the work countless women do to produce food. In contrast to the production of weapons, creating food to nourish and sustain life is not counted in the gross domestic product, the measurement of economic growth.

24 November 2014

By Deputy Chairperson Pregs Govender, Commissioner responsible for Basic Services & Health Care

From high-profile cases to cases that never make the headlines, it is clear that there is no ceasefire of the war in homes, neighborhoods and workplaces. Patriarchs, from pulpits and podiums, attack the dignity of people who do not conform to militarized masculinity and submissive femininity. Every day we hear of misogynistic attacks on babies, children, heterosexual and lesbian women and people who are gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex.

28 August 2014

Video presentation by Deputy Chairperson Pregs Govender, Commissioner responsible for Basic Services & Health Care

At the recent meeting between State Institutions Supporting Constitutional Democracy and Parliamentary Committees MPs weighed in on ‘this independence thing’ of Chapter Nine Institutions. One MP asserted that there must be ‘one country, one voice!’ Instead of being vigorously challenged, she was supported by other MPs opposed to Chapter Nine Institutions criticising Government.