About 69 protesters were killed during this incident, which became to be known as the Sharpeville Massacre. The anniversary of this day is commemorated around the world on March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In a recent address, the national commissioner of the Human Rights Commission, Adv Sandra Makoasha, stressed the need for South Africans to observe this day and month in honour of all those who had selflessly died for democracy and human rights in this country. Makoasha was speaking during an event aimed at bringing various stakeholders and the general public together to find solutions to the grossly violated children's rights abuses in the Kwalugedlane Tribal Authority and the abuse underfunelani nganeno, a cultural practice that shields statutory rapists. "We will host a Children Rights Awareness Day in Steenbok on March 8 to address children themselves and get views from them regarding the funelani nganeno practice and general understanding of their human rights," said Makoasha. The event, which was organised by the Mpumalanga provincial office of the South African Human Rights Commission under the leadershi of its provincial manager, Eric Mokonyama, which was attende by the SAPS, the National Prosecuting Authority, some magistrates, the Kwalugedlane Tribal Authority, the Wits NHI, the Nkomazi Paralegal Services Hub, Change.org, the Commission for Gender Equalit! the Department of Social Development, the Department of Education, Inhlanganisela yemabandla, the Traditional Healers Organisation and scores of community members, saw insightful discussions being heard from the speakers who all shared a similar sentiment regarding the need to protect young girls from statutory rape. "As a commission, we were appalled by the 10 000 signature submitted to our provincial offic, by Change.org, requesting us to intervene in the interest of protecting young girls from the pervasive conduct of parents and statutory rapists. We will therefore ensure that those responsible are held accountable working with law enforcement agencies," said Mokonyama. In his address, the chairperson of the Nkomazi Paralegal Services Hub, Zenzele Nkosi, said, "The triple challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty render parents vulnerabl to manipulation by perpetrators. Our multidisciplinary approach to addressing this social ill ought to be coupled with socioeconomic development programmes. We have a responsibility to come up with practical solutions to address societal challenges to avoid turning progressive programmes into talk shops."

Source: Mpumalanga News