Upcoming events

UPCOMING EVENTS BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

08

Commonwealth Day

Every year, Commonwealth countries celebrate the rich diversity, steadfast unity and positive values that represent the Commonwealth. From school assemblies to social events and civic gatherings, the day is met with an overall sense of upliftment. Each year, all events and campaigns are guided by a theme.

This year, the theme set out by the Commonwealth Organisation, is ‘2021: Delivering a Common Future’, with a key focus on innovation, connection, and transformation geared towards achieving some of the 54 member countries in the Commwonwealth family’s main goals. These goals include protecting natural resources and enhancing trade.This theme is significant as Commonwealth countries are linked by deep-rooted communities of goodwill and friendship.

14-20

World Glaucoma Week

World Glaucoma Week is a joint initiative between the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association, and has had a highly successful run for the past decade. Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness globally, and it’s been estimated that 4.5 million individuals, globally, were blinded due to glaucoma1.

Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma as yet, and vision loss is irreversible. On this day, health professionals and the Government will campaign for better awareness surrounding early detection, to limit visual impairment. So, it is advised to go for an eye-test, get educated on prevention and treatment, and practice better optical health.

15

World Consumer Rights Day

On this day, consumer rights are emphasised as a way to address risky, unfair and unethical practices, and enforce consumer rights. Often, consumers are exploited or disadvantaged when dealing with organisations. On World Consumer Rights Day, Government and businesses give consumers a platform to raise their voices, in an effort to advocate for better, honest and transparent practices.

This year, Government organisations and business entities will coordinate a variety of social media activities for all to take part in for the day. Individuals are welcomed to join the conversation surrounding trusted smart products by using the #BetterDigitalWorld hashtag.

March 2021 is loaded with various commemorative days, prompting reflection and awareness surrounding important milestones and pressing issues.

21

Human Rights Month - Human Rights Day 2021

Human Rights Month is commemorated in South Africa, as a day of reflection on the many sacrifices that occurred throughout the struggle towards obtaining democracy in our country. This is why we celebrate Human Rights Day each year, on 21 March.

This year our country commemorates Human Rights Month with the theme: ‘The year of unity, socio-economic renewal and nation-building.’ We commemorate Human Rights Day to reinforce our commitment to the Bill of Rights as enshrined in our Constitution - rights including, equality, human dignity, freedom of movement and residence, life, language and culture.

The Government calls on all South Africans to use Human Rights Month to ‘foster greater social cohesion, nationbuilding and a shared national identity.’

21

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

The UN General Assembly resolution 2142 (XXI), implemented on 26 October 1966, stated that 21 March would be the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, annually. On March 21, 1960, a large group of South Africans gathered in the township of Sharpeville to protest against the oppressive apartheid government, specfically against Pass Laws.

This day symbolises the struggle to abolish the policy of apartheid in South Africa, and eliminate all forms of racial discrimination - a key focus of UNESCO’s efforts to foster peace in all men and women, through education for tolerance, and the refusal of racist stereotypes. Many social media campaigns and community projects will ensue in light of the day’s underpinning message. on prevention and treatment, and practice better optical health.

22

World Water Day

Each year, World Water Day celebrations aim to highlight the importance of water. Zooming in on the lack of clean water around the world, and the detrimental effects of global warming, water pollution and damaged water tables, there is a lot that requires new solutions. The initiative is backed by the UN, UNESCO, the World Water Council and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). On this day, longer-term action protocols are addressed, with the hope that the global society obtains access to safe water by 2030. Special attention is also given to environmental consciousness and sustainability.

The National Water Week campaign will be held in South Africa, from 15 to 22 March. The Department of Water and Sanitation celebrates Water Week by urging everyone to use water sparingly to ensure Water For All.

More than 400 years ago, over 15 million men, women and children were victims to this ‘triangular trade’, being deported from their homes and sold into the trading system

24

TB Awareness Month - TB Day

Each year, Tuberculosis (TB) causes thousands of deaths globally. Tuberculosis (TB) is the second-most deadly infectious disease in the world, with HIV/AIDS standing as the first. In South Africa, the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2020 indicated that around 360 000 were ill with TB in 2019. This is a 20% increase since estimated 301 000 of 2018.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been estimated that there’s been an increase by between 200 000 and 400 000 people in TB deaths - this was caused by a reduction in detection and treatment throughout 2020. At present, DOTS and the Stop TB Strategy, recommended by WHO, are making strides in saving those affected by TB. On 24 March 2021, we commemorate Dr Robert Koch’s scientific contribution to discovering the TB bacillus strain (1882), prompting the development of a cure.

25

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, honours those who suffered and passed due to the transatlantic slave trade - deemed “the worst violation of human rights in history”.

Historically, more than 400 years ago, over 15 million men, women and children were victims to this ‘triangular trade’, being deported from their homes and sold into the trading system. Every year, we take this day to reflect, using this memory as an occasion to campaign and raise awareness to the world’s youth, regarding prejudice and racism.