Deputy President Paul Mashatile said the government has achieved a lot in the past 30 years of democracy, to restore the rights of previously disadvantaged people.
Mashatile made the remarks during his keynote address at the Human Rights Day commemoration at the Derrick Ferreira Stadium in Kariega, Eastern Cape.
“Building a just society involves ensuring continued access to critical services such as electricity, water, housing, and sanitation to improve the quality of life for our citizens.
Our government has made substantial progress towards achieving these rights.
Between 2011 and 2022, access to water rose to 88.5%, while access to improved sanitation reached 80.7%,” said Mashatile.
Furthermore, he said the government is also working to increase access to affordable housing through initiatives and other strategic interventions that go beyond legislative measures to address the 2.4 million housing backlog.
He said the establishment of the Constitutional Court and Chapter 9 institutions, is symbolic enough of government efforts to reverse the wrongs of the past.
“Our democratic government has also taken responsibility to respect, protect, promote, and fulfil the rights in the Bill of Rights.
We have established an environment that strives to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
Through the adoption of our Constitution, constitutional obligations have been created for the state, distinguishing us from the divisive government of the Apartheid era.
We cannot achieve social justice without actively including and uplifting those who have historically been marginalised in our society,” appealed Mashatile.
The other right highlighted by Mashatile is access to land, citing the Natives Land Act of 1913 as a cornerstone of apartheid that restricted land ownership and occupation by black South Africans.
‘Our land reform agenda is therefore a crucial step toward healing the historical wounds of the past, as it acknowledges that land dispossession remains one of the most lasting and difficult legacies of that era.
The Expropriation Act, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in January this year, signifies a shift towards a more inclusive approach to land ownership, incorporating the principle of ‘public interest’ in land acquisition, and demonstrating a commitment to social justice and redress,” remarked the deputy president.
Mashatile emphasised that the country will not bow to international pressure and repeal its policies aimed at rectifying historical injustices, adding that the government is confident that it has “chosen the correct path to establishing an equitable society, and we will not deviate from it.”
The day is commemorated under the theme, “Deepening a Culture of Social Justice and Human Rights,” which Mashatile said is not simply a slogan, but a commitment to ensure justice and equitable outcomes for marginalised people, requiring renewed commitment from all sectors of society.
“It calls on us to deepen our efforts in building a culture that respects and upholds human rights.
This requires us to recognise the inherent value and dignity of every individual, regardless of their background, beliefs, or circumstances. It is important for us to actively confront the systemic inequalities that perpetuate injustice.
The fight for rights and freedom transcends national boundaries, it is a global imperative,” said Mashatile.
