Kubayi urges South Africans to defend the constitution

By Palesa Matlala

• Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi led an anti racism programme in Sharpeville honouring 69 people killed during the anti pass law protest on 21 March 1960.

• Kubayi urged South Africans to protect the Constitution and the freedoms won since 1994 during the Human Rights commemorations in the Vaal.

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has urged South Africans to defend the country’s Constitution and the freedoms won since democracy.

Kubayi spoke during this year’s Anti Racism Programme at the Sharpeville Human Rights Precinct in the Vaal on Sunday.

The event was organised in partnership with the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.

It honoured the 69 people who were killed by police during the anti pass laws protest in Sharpeville on 21 March 1960.

Thousands of people had gathered to protest against the pass laws that restricted the movement of black South Africans.

The protest was organised by the Pan Africanist Congress, which had broken away from the African National Congress.

Police opened fire on the crowd, killing 69 people and injuring more than 180 others, including women and children.

Speaking to young people, civil society leaders and community representatives, Kubayi said the Constitution remains one of the country’s most important achievements.

“The Constitution is a testament that wise men and women of all races, religions and diverse cultures freely came together to weave a new nation in a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it, black and white,” said Kubayi.

She said the programme forms part of the country’s recognition of 30 years since the Constitution was adopted.

The anniversary is being marked under the theme “30 Years of the Constitution: One Constitution, One Nation – Reflect. Renew. Recommit”.

Kubayi said the Constitution recognises the injustices of the past and aims to build a society based on equality and human rights.

“Our Constitution states that we, the people of South Africa, recognise the injustices of our past,” she said.

Earlier in the day, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation led a wreath laying ceremony at Phelindaba Cemetery.

Participants also took part in a silent march that retraced the route of the 1960 protest.

Neshan Balton from the foundation said it is important that young people learn about the history of Sharpeville.

“For over ten years, we have been bringing young people here to the Phelindaba Cemetery as we commence our Anti Racism week,” said Balton.

“They must retrace these steps and learn about the horrors of racism as they march from the police station to where the victims of the massacre lost their lives.”

Image Caption: Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi speaks during an anti racism programme at the Sharpeville Human Rights Precinct.

Pictured above and image source: Supplied