Families of the victims of the Sharpeville massacre visited the Phelindaba Cemetery where the gravesite of 69 victims is being prepared ahead of next week's remembrance of the tragedy.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
As South Africa approaches the 66th anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has called on South Africans to protect the country's Constitution and all the freedoms that were won since 1994.
On Sunday, the minister led this year's Anti-Racism Programme in collaboration with the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, held at the Sharpeville Human Rights Precinct in the Vaal.
This commemorative event aims to honour the memory of the 69 lives lost during the anti-pass laws protest on March 21, 1960, while simultaneously calling for an end to all forms of racism and prejudice that continue to disrupt the social fabric of the nation.
On March 21, 1960, the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC), a splinter group of the ANC, spearheaded the nationwide demonstration against repressive pass laws. On that fateful day, over 20,000 activists gathered in defiance, prompting a tragic response from police, who opened fire, resulting in 69 deaths and more than 180 injuries, including women and children.
The Phelindaba Cemetery in Sharpeville is the final resting place of the 69 Sharpeville massacre victims.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
During the event, Kubayi addressed a gathering of young people, civil society leaders, and community representatives, reminding them that the day carries significant weight in South Africa’s ongoing struggle against apartheid.
“The Constitution is a testament that wise men and women of all races, religions, and diverse cultures freely came together to weave a new nation in a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it, black and white," Kubayi said.
The minister stated that this year’s programme aligns with the nation’s recognition of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of its Constitution, a document lauded for laying the foundations of democracy and equality. This year's 30th anniversary celebrations, themed “30 Years of the Constitution: One Constitution, One Nation – Reflect. Renew. Recommit,” underscore the imperative for collective action to overcome historical injustices.
“Our Constitution states that we, the people of South Africa, recognise the injustices of our past. And now that we are free, let us allow this constitution to be our supreme law of the land. To heal the injustices of the past and establish a society based on democratic, social justice, and fundamental human rights,” Kubayi said.
Earlier in the day, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation led a wreath-laying ceremony at Phelindaba Cemetery, which featured dialogue on advancing non-racialism. The event began with a silent march that retraced the route taken during the 1960 protest, symbolising an unwavering commitment to justice and equality.
Neshan Balton, representing the foundation, emphasised the importance of educating young people about the sacrifices made by the Sharpeville victims.
“For over ten years, we have been bringing young people here to the Phelindaba Cemetery as we commence our Anti-Racism week. They must retrace these steps and learn about the horrors of racism as they march from the police station to where the victims of the massacre lost their lives,” Balton stated.