Mpumalanga Premier charges communities to advance the fight against GBVF as part of human rights day commemoration

21 March 2022

As the country commemorates human rights day, Mpumalanga Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has warned against gender based violence and femicide (GBVF). She equated GBVF to the apartheid system which perpetrated the violation of Human Rights.

The history of Human Rights is grounded in the Sharpeville massacre that took place on 21 March 1960 where the apartheid police shot and killed 69 people in a peaceful march. Mtshweni-Tsipane says the perpetrators of GBVF violate the rights of their victims the same way that the apartheid system killed innocent people. “The Constitution enshrines the rights of all people in South Africa. Furthermore, it affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. However, just like apartheid, GBVF undermines all these values for the victims,” the Premier explains.

This year, Human Rights day coincides with the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution and is commemorated under the theme: “The year of unity and renewal: Protecting and preserving our Human Rights Gains”. Mtshweni-Tsipane says the commemoration should activate all communities in Mpumalanga to eradicate GBVF, the same way they did against apartheid. “Human Rights day commemoration affirms our commitment to protect the dignity of every citizen, including women and children, farm dwellers and rural residents. These groups often fall prey to the perpetrators of GBVF. As we commemorate this day, we must spare no efforts in the fight against GBVF, as we did against the evil system of apartheid,” charged the Premier.

Mtshweni-Tsipane says the commemoration is a reminder of the cost paid for treasured human rights and that a rise in unison to proclaim them, should be the agenda of all communities in Mpumalanga.

ENDS...

Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government

Enquiries:
George Mthethwa: (A) Provincial Government Spokesperson
Tel: 013 766 2242
Mobile: 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za