17 March 2000
The South African Human Rights Commission today announced its plans for Human Rights Week (20 - 26 March 2000). Each year, the SAHRC runs a series of activities during the week around Human Rights Day (21 March). This year, the Commission's major focus is "Access to Justice".
Magistrates' Courts Visits
In keeping with this theme, Commissioners and staff will visit Magistrates' Courts around the country. During these visits, Commissioners and staff will be meeting with Magistrates and staff of the courts, as well as holding informal discussions with members of the public. The Commissioners will be trying to assess, amongst others:
A table of these visits follows:
Leon Wessels, Western Cape, Cape Town, 23 March Tom Manthatha, Eastern Cape, Umtata, 23 March; East London, 24 March Jody Kollapen, Northern Province, Mankweng, 23 March; Nylstroom, 24 March Shirley Mabusela, Gauteng, Germiston, 22 March; Orlando, 24 March Jerry Nkeli, Free State, Botshabelo, 24 March; Batho, 25 March Charlotte McClain, Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, 23 March; Ermelo, 24 March Zonke Majodina, Western Cape, Wynberg, 7 April Pansy Tlakula North West Klerksdorp, 22 March; Mafikeng, 23 March Karthy Govender and/or Ms Karen Stone KZN Pinetown, 20 March
The Commission is also calling on Principals of all schools in the country to dedicate some time during the week to events to commemorate Human Rights Day. Circulars are being sent to all schools suggesting activities that could be conducted, including:
The theme for school activities is "Child Rights" and the Commission will, during the week, launch its annual Poster Competition requesting all learners, including those in Adult Basic Education and Training programmes to design a poster on the same theme. Prizes of up to R7 000 for the overall winner, and prizes of R2 000 for the winner of each of the various categories are on offer, kindly donated by Standard Bank. The overall winning entry will also be used to design an official SAHRC poster. Details of the competition and entry forms are included in the circular to all schools or may be found on the Commission's recently updated website (http:www.sahrc.org.za).
Human Rights Day Events
State Theatre
The Commission's major event, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and Spoornet State Theatre, is a gala evening at the State Theatre's Drama Theatre in Pretoria. During this event, the Ministry of Justice will launch the National Consultative Forum for Human Rights, which is an exciting innovation by the government to ensure human rights are protected, promoted and respected.
The keynote speaker for the evening is the Honourable Mr J Zuma, Deputy President and an additional address will be delivered by Justice Pius Langa, Deputy President of the Constitutional Court. A major highlight of the evening will be a panel discussion between the Commission Chairperson, Dr N Barney Pityana; Mr B T Ngcuka, Director of Public Prosecutions; Mr M Bhudu of SAPOHR; and Judge President B M Ngoepe on the theme "Crime and Human Rights". Members of the audience will be invited to participate in this discussion on what is an extremely important debate at this point in our country's history.
The foyer of the Drama Theatre is also being used to house an exhibition of various artworks on human rights themes (which is open to the public and is free of charge), including:
Space has been set aside at the venue for the media, including space in the Drama Theatre for film crews. Members of the panel will also be available for interviews.
A full programme for the evening follows:
4:00 - 4:30 Launch of the National Consultative Forum for Human Rights
4:30 - 5:00 Keynote address (The Honourable Mr J Zuma, Deputy President)
5:00 - 5:45 Cocktails and snacks (and viewing of exhibition)
5:45 - 6:00 Seating
6:00 - 7:00 Panel Discussion - "Human Rights and Crime"
7:00 - 7:15 Dance Performance (State Theatre Dance Company)
7:15 - 7:45 Address (Justice Pius Langa, Deputy President of the Constitutional Court of South Africa)
7:45 - 8:00 Dance performance (State Theatre Dance Company)
8:00 - 9:00 Buffet meal
Tembisa Stadium Fun Day
In addition to the State Theatre event, the European Union Foundation for Human Rights, SAHRC, Public Protector and Commission for Gender Equality (in partnership with Rights Africa) will co-host a fun day at the Tembisa Stadium (in Tembisa). This event is aimed primarily at children, youth and the family and will have an area set aside for children; a soccer match between Tembisa Classic and a team of celebrities (including Zane Moosa, Marks Maponyane, members of the "banyana, banyana" team , Daniel Mudau and Isaac Shai). The day will conclude with musical performances by Arthur, Abashante, Chax and .co.za.
A draft programme for this event follows:
6:30 Registration for fun run
8:00 Fun Run
9:30 Prize giving (Mayor Isaac Mahlangu)
10:00 - 12:00 Soccer (Tembisa Classic v Invitation 11)
12:00 - 17:00 Music (Local Acts Plus "Abashante" Plus "Arthur")
9:00 - 17:00 Children's Carnival / Playground Area
9:00 - 17:00 NGO Stalls
For more information on the Court Visits, call Siseko Njobeni on 011-484-8300 or 083-288-3339
For more information on the State Theatre event or school Poster Competition, call Greg Moran on 011-484-8300 or 083-265-3614
For more information on the Tembisa event, call Paula McBride on 083-303-2226 or Vivienne Segal on 011-886-1575 or 082-442-6995
Issued by: GCIS for the SAHRC, Johannesburg