South Africans commemorate Human Rights Day on Thursday, 21 March 2024, reflecting on the progress and challenges in upholding fundamental freedoms and rights.
Why does South Africa celebrate Human Rights Day?
Human Rights Day holds profound significance in South Africa, marking the sombre remembrance of the Sharpeville Massacre on 21 March 1960.
This day has evolved into a public holiday, commemorating the lives lost and acting as a testament to the country’s journey towards recognising and safeguarding human rights.
It is both a day of reflection on the struggles against apartheid and a celebration of the advances made in ensuring equal rights and freedoms for all South Africans.
Do South Africans enjoy equitable access to basic human rights?
Despite South Africa’s significant strides in embedding basic human rights into its constitution, the country faces ongoing challenges in ensuring equitable access for all citizens.
Disparities in wealth, education, and healthcare persist, affecting the universal realisation of these rights.
Education
As of 2023, South Africa has seen an improvement in access to education, with the net enrollment rate in primary education reaching approximately 98%.
However, the quality of education and high school completion rates remain areas of concern.
According to UNESCO, the literacy rate among youth aged 15 to 24 is over 90%, highlighting progress in education but also indicating room for improvement in ensuring quality education for all.
Healthcare
Access to healthcare services has expanded, yet disparities remain, particularly in rural versus urban areas. The South African National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, aimed at providing universal health coverage, is a step towards reducing these disparities.
About 84% of the population relies on public healthcare services, which are often under-resourced compared to the private healthcare sector used by approximately 16% of the population, mainly the more affluent.
Social Security
Social security programs have played a crucial role in supporting the vulnerable.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) reports that over 18 million South Africans benefit from social grants, including child support, disability, and old age pensions.
While these grants have been instrumental in alleviating poverty for some, the challenge lies in reaching all who are in need and ensuring that the amounts are sufficient to cover basic living costs.
Water and Sanitation
Access to clean water and sanitation is another critical area.
According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, approximately 95% of the population had access to an improved water source as of 2022.
However, issues with water quality and reliability persist in several areas, and about 14% of the population lacks access to improved sanitation facilities, highlighting the need for ongoing infrastructure development and maintenance.
Economic Inequality
Economic inequality remains one of the highest in the world, with the Gini coefficient—a measure of income distribution—being around 0.63.
This inequality affects access to many of the rights and services mentioned above and is a significant hurdle in ensuring equitable access to basic human rights for all South Africans.
Five of the Most Important Rights South Africans Have in 2024
1. Right to Equality
Central to South Africa’s post-apartheid identity, the right to equality is fiercely protected.
This right ensures that all individuals are equal before the law and have the right to equal protection and benefits thereof.
Discrimination on any ground, such as race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, is explicitly prohibited.
Efforts to combat inequality include legislation and policies to redress historical injustices and promote inclusivity in all spheres of society.
2. Right to Education
Acknowledged as a fundamental driver of personal and societal development, the right to education is enshrined as a cornerstone of democracy.
South Africa guarantees the right to basic education for all, with initiatives focused on improving literacy, reducing dropout rates, and enhancing educational outcomes.
Recent years have seen increased investment in educational infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum development, aimed at making quality education accessible to all.
3. Right to Health Care, Food, Water, and Social Security
The commitment to ensuring access to health care, sufficient food and water, and social security for those unable to support themselves is a priority.
The government has implemented policies and programs to expand healthcare services, improve water quality and availability, and enhance social security systems.
These measures are designed to address the basic needs of the population, particularly the most vulnerable segments.
4. Right to Freedom of Expression
Freedom of expression is a foundational element of South Africa’s democracy, enabling open dialogue and debate.
This right encompasses the freedom to express opinions, access information, and engage in artistic and academic endeavours without fear of repression.
Media freedom and digital rights have been areas of active discussion, with efforts to protect these rights amid challenges such as misinformation and online harassment.
5. Right to a Clean Environment
Recognising the global environmental crisis, South Africa upholds the right to an environment that is not harmful to health or well-being.
Initiatives focused on pollution prevention, ecological conservation, and sustainable development aim to balance economic growth with environmental protection.
Recent legal and policy advancements have sought to address issues like climate change, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss, emphasizing sustainable management of natural resources.