Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the right to human dignity as one of the 'most fundamental' values enshrined in the Constitution. The President addressed the nation through his weekly newsletter ahead of the national commemoration of Human Rights Day this coming weekend.
According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa emphasized the enduring significance of the Constitution, highlighting its role as a promise to protect human dignity. He stated, "This year, we mark three decades since South Africa adopted its democratic Constitution. The Constitution is more than the supreme law of the land; it is a solemn promise that never again should any person be stripped of their humanity and dignity."
The President urged the nation to reflect on its progress in upholding the constitutional promise, emphasizing that human dignity is the cornerstone of rights to equality, freedom from discrimination, education, health, and a safe environment. The Bill of Rights enshrines the right to human dignity, underscoring its importance as a concrete right with practical implications for daily life.
President Ramaphosa highlighted the operationalization of human dignity through laws, institutions, and policies. He noted that the government and other entities must actively work to enhance people's dignity, not only through interpersonal treatment but also by improving living conditions. The President acknowledged the government's efforts over the past three decades to restore dignity, particularly by providing essential services previously denied under apartheid.
Despite progress, President Ramaphosa recognized the persistent challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment as barriers to fully realizing human dignity for all South Africans. He called for collective efforts to close these gaps, asserting that economic recovery and investment in infrastructure are crucial to advancing dignity for everyone.
As global economic uncertainty looms, President Ramaphosa urged dedication to the path of treating every person with dignity. He emphasized continued investment in infrastructure, reforms in energy, water, and logistics, and support for small businesses as vital to ensuring dignity for all. On Human Rights Day, he called for a recommitment to constitutional principles, urging individuals to uphold the dignity of every person.
Source: South African Government News Agency