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DISA is a freely accessible online scholarly resource focusing on the socio-political history of South Africa, particularly the struggle for freedom during the period from 1950 to the first democratic elections in 1994, providing a wealth of material on this fascinating period of the country’s history. Much time, creative thought and debate goes into the selection of the content, and participation and input from interested persons, scholars and institutions in South Africa and overseas is encouraged. |
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Human Rights Day |
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Written by Nasreen Khan
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Monday, 01 March 2010 |
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Sikhumbula iSharpeville!
21 March 1960, will always be commemorated as Sharpeville Day. The day, that 69, unarmed, people were killed, and 180 injured, while in protest against the pass-laws. Robert Sobukwe, Pan Africanist Leader, led the campaign for the anti-pass protest. The protestors at Sharpeville, a township between Vanderbijlpark and Vereeniging in the Gauteng, were marching towards the police station, in protest against having to carry a "dompass", when the police opened fire on those in protest.
Human Rights Day, since, 1994, was packaged with a "new found freedom and democracy", and is celebrated as a public holiday in South Africa. This recognition is entrenched in the Bill of Rights in the South African Constitution. Sharpeville was chosen as the venue where the Constitution was launched by the first democratically elected President, Nelson Mandela on 8 May 1996.
This day is a reminder that all citizens of this country be treated with equality and with dignity. The events of that day, will forever be etched in our memory as one of those where our fellow South Africans' sacrificed their lives for freedom and liberation.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 03 March 2010 )
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