This year’s event is being commemorated on the theme, “Deepening a culture of social justice and human rights”.
The democratic government declared March 21 Human Rights Day to commemorate and honour those who fought for the liberation and the rights South Africans enjoy today.
In his reflection, Bishop Sipuka has encouraged the people of God in South Africa to create a favourable environment for all.
“As advocates for social justice, let us create a society that values and respects everyone by celebrating our differences to build a more inclusive and compassionate nation,” Bishop Sipuka says in the video recording that was shared with ACI Africa Friday, March 21.
The Local Ordinary of Mthatha Diocese, who doubles as the President of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) expresses regrets that decades after the Sharpeville Massacre , South Africans still endure numerous human rights challenges such as unemployment, gender-based violence, oppression of the elderly, and bullying in schools.
“Today challenges, such as high unemployment, strip individuals of their dignity. Gender-based violence devastates families. Abuse of elderly people often goes unaddressed. Discrimination based on sexual orientation remains prevalent, and incidents of bullying in our schools continue to occur,” he says.
In the video recording, Bishop Sipuka acknowledges the efforts of the country in promoting and protecting the rights of the people due to an active Judiciary and the growing awareness of social justice since 1994.
He goes on to recall the inauguration speech of South Africa’s first black President, Nelson Mandela, “Never, never and never again”, and acknowledges with appreciation the South African Constitution, which he says “aims to ensure that Human Rights abuses as exemplified by the Sharpeville tragedy do not recur.”
“Nevertheless, we must confront the harsh reality that many citizens still endure violations of their rights,” the President of SACC says in his reflection on South Africa Human Rights Day 2025.
The Local Ordinary of Mthatha since his Episcopal Consecration in May 2008 urges his compatriots to “take pride in celebrating not only Human Rights Day but also in upholding a constitution that prioritizes human rights.”
