Benoni Museum educates learners about the significance of Human Rights Day
The museum invited the learners to educate them about the day, its importance, and what the day signifies.
Learners from Dalpark Learning Academy, Benoni, commemorated Human Rights Day at the Benoni Museum on March 23.
The museum invited the learners to educate them about the day, its importance and what the day signifies.
Ekurhuleni metro senior manager for heritage and museum services Fhatuwani Rambau said the presentation falls under the learners’ curriculum.
“It is our responsibility as the City, especially as the museum, to educate the younger generation about the historical background of the day and why we celebrate it,” said Rambau.
“Almost every holiday has a historical background, for example, Human Rights Day is the results of the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960, where the community was marching against the pass laws.”
Rambau said the march, led by Robert Sobukwe, resulted in 69 people dying.
Guest speaker Tumishang Leta, a lecturer at the North-West University, educated the learners about what happened on that day.
He told them it is important to ask questions and if you’re not satisfied with the answers ask more questions.
He highlighted how we should celebrate the Sharpeville Massacre.
“We need to understand what we are commemorating or celebrating. The Sharpeville Massacre should be commemorated separately from Human Rights Day. Human Rights Day must be an occasion that highlights the crimes against humanity committed by the apartheid government against non-whites,” said Leta.
“It should be an opportunity for educational engagements on issues that impact our communities (racism, inequality, poverty, service delivery, access to water, decolonised education).”
He also encouraged the learners to know their historical backgrounds, so they can know how history had an impact on their lineage.
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