How Black Sash's 70-year legacy continues to shape human rights advocacy

ONE of the country's oldest civil society and human rights organisations, Black Sash, celebrated its 70th anniversary at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg yesterday.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

Established in 1955 by a group of white women activists, Black Sash has been at the forefront of some of the most fervent human rights campaigns, having taken the government and other entities to court over various human rights violations.

In recent years, this formidable organisation has turned its attention to tackling issues of social protection, dignity, and democracy on behalf of millions of social grant recipients, who continue to bear the brunt of indignity, shame, and inequality more than 30 years since the advent of democracy.

Black Sash's regional manager and advocate for social justice, Thandiwe Zulu, commended the founding members and those who dedicated their lives to fighting both social and political injustice, which continues despite the advent of democracy in 1994.