The SAHRC continue to witness violation of socio-economic and general human rights in various communities, of the Limpopo Province, due to abject poverty, the inequalities, and injustices of the past. These violations need a collaborative approach with the civil society for possible redress. One of the major human rights violations encountered is the fact that various communities across the province do not have access to basic services.

The SAHRC’s broad mandate requires that it engages with a wide spectrum of stakeholders who are critical in giving effect to its mandate. This duty to engage role-players with common objectives is entrenched in section 13 of the SAHRC Act of 2013.

For the past three years, the SAHRC has established a network of Human Rights Champions (Champions) in communities, as provided for in the SAHRC Act. The Champions are based in communities, they liaise and interact with the SAHRC.

The champions are individuals and organisations or sectors of civil society that promote the respect for human rights.

The SAHRC collaborate with the Champions in the execution of its mandate, by strengthening real time access to communities and access to justice; and they serve as a link between the SAHRC and communities.

In addition, the development of local Champions empowers vulnerable communities to access and realise their human rights; and to deepen an understanding of human rights, as over a period of time - levels of human rights awareness increase through a multiplier (word of mouth) effect.

The relationship between the selected Champion/s are governed by the legitimacy and understanding of the individual, their ability to influence, willingness and necessity of involvement as defined in the SAHRC’s Stakeholder Management Strategy.

The SAHRC has thus planned a Human Rights Champions Empowerment Workshop in collaboration with Community Advise Offices of South Africa, to craft and develop an action-plan on how to identify the human rights violations and to address same. This will ensure that both the Human Rights Champions and CAOSA work together in a coordinated manner to restore the dignity and work towards resolving the challenges faced by the Limpopo Communities as follows.

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For further information contact SAHRC Limpopo Provincial Office Manager, Mr Victor Mavhidula @ 015 2913500 / 0767801500