RISE Mzansi has called for improved governance to honour South Africa’s struggle stalwarts, as the country observes Human Rights Month.
Addressing MPs during the Human Rights Day debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday, party leader Songezo Zibi reflected on the sacrifices made to secure the freedoms enjoyed in today’s democratic South Africa.
He emphasised the need to move beyond abstract discussions, urging lawmakers to focus on practical actions within their control. Zibi argued that freedom should not only be understood as being “free from” oppression, but also as being “free to” access opportunities and improve one’s quality of life. He further stressed the importance of clearly identifying and dismantling barriers that prevent citizens from fully realising their rights.
Zibi used his address to call for urgent policy reforms aimed at expanding access to fundamental rights and improving living conditions for all South Africans. He identified violence—both direct and structural—as a major barrier, noting that unemployment, poverty, inequality, and lack of access to land and housing all constitute forms of violence that must be addressed.
He warned that continued failures in governance risk deepening hardship and pushing more citizens into precarious living conditions.
In closing, Zibi challenged public servants to prioritise the needs of the people they serve, invoking the legacy of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe and other struggle heroes who fought for the country’s human rights.
