Mabuza calls for a return of morals to society

South Africans have a lot of questions to answer before the country will succeed in its quest for “unity” and “renewal” if the spate of recent tragedies in the country are anything to go by, according to Deputy President David Mabuza.

Addressing thousands yesterday on Human Rights Day in Sharpeville, where the apartheid police opened fire and killed scores of unarmed protesters 58 years ago, Mabuza called on South Africans to ask themselves if their words and actions were “befitting the honour” of the protesters whose blood was shed at Sharpeville.

Sixty-nine people died in the tragedy and hundreds were injured.

A traditional dance troupe is pictured rehearsing outside the main marquee during the official Human Rights Day commemorations in Sharpeville on 21 March 2018. Picture: Refilwe Modise

Then he cited the death of five-year-old Viwe Jali, who drowned in a pit toilet at a school in Mbizana in the Eastern Cape last week.

“Oliver Tambo was born in Mbizana – what would he say to those of us who bask in the glory of his struggle if we still fail to protect our children years after Grade R pupil Michael Komape died in a similar, undignified manner in 2014?” he asked.

He also used the opportunity to address the issue of the police investigator who allegedly molested two of the 87 children who had already allegedly been the victims of sexual assault by a school patroller at a Soweto primary school.

“What has gone wrong? Why have we become so numbed to the tragedies that rob our children of their innocence?” Mabuza asked the audience.

He said he would work closely with the premier of Gauteng to resolve the problems and challenges in the province.

“My office and the premier’s office will coordinate efforts to deepen service delivery, alleviate poverty and eliminate unemployment.

“This work begins now. My office is adopting Sharpeville as one of its priority projects.”

Mabuza ended his speech by saying South Africans must begin to handle things differently and become people of moral stamina, courage and conviction.

A man in a wheelchair is assisted to the toilets during the official Human Rights Day commemorations in Sharpeville on 21 March 2018. Picture: Refilwe Modise

– jenniffero@citizen.co.za

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