FROM THE DESK OF OUR PRINCIPAL

Noeleen Naidoo

ìHuman Rights Day in South Africa is historically linked with 21 March 1960, and the events of Sharpeville. On that day 69 people died and 180 were wounded when police fired on a peaceful crowd that had gathered in protest against the Pass laws. This day marked an affirma琀椀on by ordinary people, rising in unison to proclaim their rights. It became an iconic date in our countryís history that today we commemorate as Human Rights Day as a reminder of our rights and the cost paid for our treasured human rights.î

Sixty three years ago a group of people decided enough is enough. Their decision resulted in the cons琀椀tu琀椀onal rights we have now.

The day we live in looms with a different kind of oppression. The lack of basic human necessi琀椀es give rise to despera琀椀on for survival. The con琀椀nuous strain that injus琀椀ce and unrighteousness places on our economy has turned living into the olympics of life.

Who will it take to bring a revolu琀椀on of change? What will it take to see a be琀琀er, brighter tomorrow and how long before we feel the relief?

The answers to these ques琀椀ons lie within the brave, the bold and the courageous.

Like those who gave their lives sacrificially, can we be brave enough to sacrifice our own comfort and extend kindness, can we bold enough to refuse to be a part of a corrupt society and call out the wrongs and can we be courageous enough to say, ìif has to be, itís up to meî

Adop琀椀ng a new outlook will set us on a path to re-evaluate the reality and defini琀椀on of Human Rights. It may posi琀椀on us to flip the switch. Instead of expecta琀椀on and en琀椀tlement we could be ordinary people that rise in unison and bring sustainable change.

We all have the right to a be琀琀er tomorrow and we have the power to create it. We can choose to protect, to nurture, to love, to serve, to empower, to encourage, to be kind, to share, to lend a helping hand, to take steps towards eradica琀椀ng poverty, to support worthy causes, to 琀椀dy up the neighborhoods.

It took ordinary people sixty three years ago, Iíd like to think weíve survived enough to make us extraordinary.

We stand on the shoulders of fearless martyrs who paid a price. We must do what it takes to pre- serve this treasure.

Let history tell the story of South Africans who decided to become the change they wanted to see.

Hereís some highlights of how we spread some love in February.

Gala琀椀ans 6:2

Share each otherís burdens