The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) held its 30th-anniversary symposium on Wednesday in Sandton, Johannesburg.
The symposium, themed “30 Years of Courage: Defending Human Rights, Dignity, Justice and Democracy for All”, served as a critical reflection on the commission's three-decade legacy, including its achievements and challenges.
For three decades, the SAHRC has been more than a watchdog, according to Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel.
He stated that it embodies commitment: a conscience, a catalyst, and a companion to South Africa's Constitution, transforming rights from abstract concepts into tangible experiences.
Nel said the SAHRC’s investigations into racial discrimination, service denial, and violence in schools have made human dignity tangible.
A genuine human-rights culture is one where dignity, equality, and freedom shape governance and relationships, he said.…