ACDP: Statement by Steve Swart, African Christian Democratic Party spokesperson, on human rights (16/03/2010)

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Published: 16 Mar 2010

ACDP: Statement by Steve Swart, African Christian Democratic Party spokesperson, on human rights (16/03/2010)

"The ACDP believes that it is appropriate that we reflect today on how far we as a nation have come since the tragedy of Sharpeville to those momentous events leading to the release of former president Nelson Mandela twenty years ago and to negotiations culminating in peaceful elections and a new Constitution.

The Interim Constitution stated that it provided "a historic bridge between the past of a deeply divided society characterised by strife, conflict, untold suffering and injustice, and a future founded on the recognition of human rights, democracy and peaceful co-existence and development opportunities for all South Africans, irrespective of colour, race, class, belief or sex."

It is crucial to remember that a solemn pact was agreed upon, recorded as Constitutional principles - which formed the basis for the new Constitution. We need to uphold that solemn pact.

Whilst the ACDP fully appreciates the miracle of the peaceful negotiated process culminating in the new constitutional dispensation, it is equally important to consider how far we have come from oppression to a human rights centred society.

The main thrust of the Bill of Rights relates to "first generation" civil and political rights, such as the right to life, to vote, to a fair trial and freedom of speech. Much has been achieved in this regard. South Africa also included "second generation" socio-economic rights as enforceable human rights.

These rights include the right to adequate housing, health care, food, social security and education. Disadvantaged and vulnerable groups are intended to be the main beneficiaries of these rights - such as women and children - non-nationals, people living with HIV or Aids, people living with disabilities, people living in rural areas and informal settlements - generally people who are most affected by poverty and experience a number of barriers that block access to resources, opportunities and services in society.

By including these rights, South Africans said that no person should be without the basic necessities of life. Regrettably, there is a wide gap between the caring values of these socio-economic rights and the reality of grinding poverty in South Africa.

The prospect for ending poverty depends critically on two factors: first, the rate of economic growth - provided it is undertaken in a shared and sustainable way - and second, the level of resources devoted to poverty programs and the quality of such programs.

Economic development encompasses the reduction or elimination of poverty, inequality and unemployment within the context of a growing economy. Economic growth is dependent upon education and skills development, productivity and entrepreneurship, and access to capital and markets. As we live in a global village, it is also dependent upon investor sentiment which is particularly jittery to emergent markets. Irresponsible calls to nationalise mines and productive farms do not serve our cause any good. This, to say nothing about the calls to "kill the farmer, kill the boer".

Whilst we may have one of the most progressive constitutions in the world, we still have a long way to go before the full realisation of socio-economic rights is achieved. One needs only to look at the widespread service delivery protests to understand that the very fabric of our constitutional dispensation is under threat. This, as promises and expectations are unfulfilled in the eyes of the poor and marginalised. Therein lies the challenge for each of us as we prepare to celebrate this Human Rights day."