As part of the programme to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Constitution, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on Tuesday hosted the Northern Cape Constitutional Rights Symposium in Kimberley.
THE NORTHERN Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Nomandla Bloem, said the country’s hard-won freedom was marred by inequality, unemployment and poverty.
Bloem was delivering the keynote address at the provincial symposium to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Constitution at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in Kimberley on Tuesday.
“The sad reality is that so many of us are unable to own that freedom or live this freedom,” said Bloem.
“Especially in rural spaces, this is a key determinant of the confidence we have in navigating access to services, justice, health and employment.
“We have also, because of these inequalities, certain vulnerabilities, for example, to crime and criminality, to domestic violence and substance abuse.”
She added that it was important to understand the root causes of gender-based violence and to provide safe, protected spaces where victims could report cases.
“We need to honour, as a society, each other’s right to be free of all forms of violence … and defend the most vulnerable.”
The MEC for Social Development, Nontobeko Topsy Vilakazi, pointed out that while the Constitution protected the rights of children, they were often exposed to the worst atrocities.
“Relebogile Segami, 11, was abruptly and brutally taken away, where her body was dumped in the veld near the Northern Cape provincial legislature precinct. The Constitution acknowledges that children need special protection because they are one of the most vulnerable members of society. They are dependent on others – their parents and families and sometimes on those who finally commit the worst crimes against them,” said Vilakazi.
She added that the Constitution even defended the rights of the accused who had allegedly “mercilessly killed an innocent 11-year-old girl”.
“This implies that we should at all material times allow the law to take its course and never take the law into our own hands.”
Vilakazi indicated that the white paper on social welfare permitted citizens the right to have access to appropriate social assistance if they were unable to support themselves and their dependants.
She believed that the rights of persons with disabilities had to be advanced.
“Even though our Constitution guarantees the rights of persons with disabilities to equality, non-discrimination and human dignity, they continue to experience discrimination when it comes to public transport and employment opportunities.
“Since the protection of persons with disabilities falls within the mandate of the department that I am responsible for, we shall double our efforts in defending these individuals.”
