March 23, 2025
By Nasiphi Mabusela, Pic: GCIS
Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivered a powerful message on Human Rights Day, urging South Africans to confront systemic inequalities and harmful societal norms that continue to perpetuate violence against women and other vulnerable groups. Speaking at an event held at Kariega on Friday Mashatile highlighted the interconnectedness of gender-based violence (GBV) and HIV/AIDS, stressing the urgent need to address both issues, which disproportionately affect South Africa’s most vulnerable populations.
“To establish a society where all individuals can live with dignity, security, and equality, we must actively challenge the systemic inequalities that continue to hold back our progress,” Mashatile said in his address. His remarks resonated particularly in light of recent challenges faced by the country, such as the withdrawal of PEPFAR (The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) funding, which currently finances about 17% of South African health programs. This move threatens to exacerbate an already fragile healthcare system, particularly for those affected by HIV/AIDS.
In response to the threat posed by the funding cuts, Mashatile assured citizens that the government is developing contingency plans to mitigate the impact, emphasizing that South Africa remains committed to ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. He reiterated the government’s commitment to building a resilient healthcare system that can provide essential services and uphold human rights, despite these external challenges.
The Deputy President also touched on the country’s broader economic and social landscape. “The government’s pro-poor budgeting strategy aims to directly improve the lives of the most vulnerable by directing resources to those who need it most. This is our way of turning human rights into a tangible reality for every South African,” Mashatile said.
A significant part of Mashatile’s speech focused on the importance of active citizenship. The Deputy President emphasized that social justice and human rights are not just abstract ideals but require the active participation of every citizen. He called on all South Africans to play an active role in shaping the country’s future, noting that “active participation is not just a right, but a responsibility to uphold the ideals enshrined in our Constitution.”
Mashatile also highlighted the challenges faced in fostering active participation, pointing to the 2024 elections where only 16.2 million out of 27.2 million registered voters cast their ballots—a concerning figure given the sacrifices made by those who fought for democracy. However, he underscored the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) as a direct response to the people’s call for unity. “The message from all our people was loud and clear: Work Together!” he proclaimed.
The GNU, according to Mashatile, is committed to three strategic priorities over the next five years: driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and addressing the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state that prioritizes human rights. The success of these goals, Mashatile emphasized, hinges on the active participation of every citizen, as the challenges the country faces can only be overcome through collective action.
Later this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the National Dialogue, ensuring that the conversation is inclusive and gives every citizen the opportunity to contribute to the country’s future. Mashatile urged all South Africans to embrace their responsibility in shaping the nation’s destiny by exercising their democratic rights and working towards a South Africa where social justice and human rights are not just ideals, but lived realities for all.
The event was attended by people from across the country also in present was the Minister of Sports, Arts, Culture and and Recreation Gayton Mackenzie and The Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane.
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