Human Rights Month: SA's marginalised communities speak out

AS SOUTH Africa observes Human Rights Month, indigenous and marginalised groups say rights guaranteed in the Constitution and the promises of democracy remain out of reach.

- TRACY-LYNN RUITERS [e-mail]

Human Rights Commissioner Chris Nissen said while South Africa's constitution is widely respected around the world, too many citizens are still not experiencing its full protections.

He explained the Constitution was shaped by the voices of ordinary South Africans and draws strongly from the ideals of the Freedom Charter. In the 1950s, activists travelled from community to community asking people what they wanted a democratic South Africa to look like.

Those ideas helped shape a Constitution that guarantees equality, dignity and access to basic services.

"These rights did not fall from the sky," Nissen said. "People fought for them with their blood, sweat and lives. Everyone marvels at our Constitution, and rightfully so," Nissen said.

But, he believes the country still has work to do when it comes to fulfilling many of the socioeconomic rights promised in the Constitution, including access to housing, water, sanitation, healthcare and education.

"More than 30 years into democracy we cannot still be saying people cannot have water or sanitation," he said. "We need to ask ourselves why the progressive realisation of these rights is not happening faster."

For many South Africans, the daily reality still includes long waits outside government offices and health facilities.

"When people have to stand in the rain outside clinics or spend the night waiting outside SASSA offices, we must ask ourselves whether the full promise of human rights is being realised," he said.

Nissen also encouraged communities who feel marginalised not to remain silent.