25 August 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

2023 marks 110 years since the enactment of the Natives Land Act of 1913 (Act). The Act enforced a legal limit to African land ownership situated in reserves and homelands to seven percent (7%). The Act further prohibited Africans from entering into any agreement or transaction for the purchase, hire, or other acquisition from a person other than a native.

In an effort to provide redress of this unjust act, Section 25 of the Constitution affirms that a person or community dispossessed of property after 19 June 1913 as a result of past racially discriminatory laws is entitled to either restitution of the property or to equitable redress.

22 August 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The Northern Cape Provincial Office will be conducting a community human rights champions workshop in Douglas. The workshop is dedicated to empowering individuals and organisations who are at the forefront of advocating for human rights and social justice within their communities.

22 August 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Then South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC) in Free State together with Legal Aid South Africa will be embarking on the legal clinics across Letsemeng Local Municipality, in Xhariep district between 21 – 25 August 2023. The purpose of these clinics among others, is to educate citizens about their rights as enshrined in chapter two of the Constitution.

21 August 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

In an ongoing effort to champion human rights and foster a more equal, inclusive, tolerant and diverse society in South Africa different stakeholders and role-players will be coming together for a crucial dialogue on equality, inclusivity, tolerance, and diversity. By bringing together a wide spectrum of perspectives and expertise, the dialogue seeks to explore strategies that will lead to a meaningful change at individual, societal and systemic levels. The dialogue will serve as a platform for open discussions on the progress made and challenges faced in the pursuit of equal rights for all citizens of South Africa. It recognizes the collective responsibility to build a nation where equality, inclusivity, tolerance and diversity are not only celebrated but also embraced as a source of strength.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

18 AUGUST 2023

The SAHRC in Eastern Cape will be embarking on various monitoring activities in Sarah Baartman District Municipality and Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. Section 184 (1) (c) of the South African Constitution states that the Commission must monitor and assess the observance of human rights in the Republic. 

Attention: Editors and Reporters

18 August 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) together with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Clive Sithole Ceramics (Durban)/ Phansi Museum, Imiso Ceramics (Cape Town), and Van Schaik Bookstore will host the finalist round/ workshop with the youth which advanced through the first phase of the competition.  The youth finalist round on clay works, is part of the second phase of the Ukhamba Youth Pottery Exhibition and Competition, which is part of the Commissions SHiNE initiative.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

17 August 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) and the Department of Education will be hosting a Provincial Schools Moot Court preparatory workshop to help students prepare for the Provincial round of Schools Moot Court programme. The Commission and the Department of Education are collaborating with the University of the Free State, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and legal experts to provide learners with workshop in preparation for the Provincial School Moot Court Programme.

17 August 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The SAHRC KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Office will conduct Human Rights Champions’ Workshop with the Sthabile Community Development Centre NPO located in Amatikwe, Inanda under eThekwini Municipality.

The workshop aims to empower Human Rights Champions on the role they play in supporting democracy, the mandate of the SAHRC and protecting the rights of impoverished communities.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

16 August 2023

The Commissioners and the North West Provincial Office of the South African Human Rights Commission are scheduled to meet with the Provincial Executive of the North West Province to discuss human rights concerns in the province. Some of the issues of concern include service delivery challenges at the local and provincial government level, governance and leadership challenges faced by some municipalities and provincial departments which impact the realisation of human rights.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

15 August 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission Gauteng provincial office will visit Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) on 15 August 2023.

The hospital is an accredited central hospital which serves patients from across the Gauteng province as well as neighbouring provinces. Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital offers a full range of tertiary, secondary and highly specialised services.

Thursday, 10 August 2023

Attention: Editors and Reporters

In 2013, the South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC) instituted proceedings against Rev Bougardt regarding discriminatory statements he had made against gay and lesbian people between October 2011 and November 2012. In 2014, a court order (the 2014 Order) was issued in terms of which Rev Bougardt was found to have been in breach of Section 10 (1) of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 (the Equality Act) by making the said discriminatory statements and ordered him to refrain from making similar statements in future.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

09 August 2023

09 August is National Women’s Day. This is a significant calendar day in the history of human rights, the dismantling of apartheid and the birth of equality rights in the country.

Women faced double discrimination during apartheid, they endured both racism and sexism.

7 August 2023

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission’s in North West Province will convene the second sitting of its provincial investigative inquiry into unfinished and inadequate RDP houses in the North West on 8 August 2023. The provincial investigative inquiry forms part of an ongoing investigation into the challenges relating to RDP houses in the province.

5 August 2023

ATT: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ Commission) met with Crawford College International, Pretoria as part of an own accord investigation.

The meeting follows the release of a video of a substitute Grade 8 English teacher writing racist terms on a whiteboard during a lesson. In the video, learners can be heard complaining about the conduct of the teacher.