Human Rights Day in South Africa
In South Africa, every March 21st is Human Rights Day. This holiday was created to commemorate the creation of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The purpose of the SAHRC is to promote basic respect for human rights, to promote the protection of rights, and to monitor the observance of human rights across all of South Africa.
South Africa (Public holiday)This day was first launched in 1996 and has been observed ever since. This holiday is observed with activism and human rights campaigns that aim to shine the spotlight on the importance of human rights.
The History Of Human Rights Day In South Africa
In 1960, the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) proposed an anti-pass campaign that began on the 21st of March. All African men were supposed to take part without their passes and present them for arrest. Campaigners congregated at police stations in townships and the police busied themselves with dispersing them.
However, at the Sharpeville police station, a fight broke out. During the course of the fight, the police opened fire. This resulted in the death of 69 people, as well as 180 people being wounded. On the 36-year anniversary of this event, the SAHRC was launched on March 21, 1996.
Facts About South Africa
Once again we’ve rounded up a number of fascinating facts about the country in which a holiday is celebrated. In this holiday article, we’re going to discuss a couple of facts about South Africa.
- South Africa has 11 official languages.
- South Africa has one of the world’s youngest populations by age.
- The first human heart transplant was performed in Cape Town, South Africa in 1967.
Observing Human Rights Day
On this holiday, people visit one of the three main memorial sites of the Sharpeville Massacre, and flowers are placed on the graves of those who lost their lives. This is also a good day for people to acquaint themselves with the history of South Africa and what many South Africans had to go through during the time of the massacre. It’s also a good day for people to learn about their human rights and how they can protect them from this day forward.
South Africa (Public holiday)
