SA needs leaders with courage like Sharpeville martyrs, says NUMSA
The country on Thursday commemorated Human Rights Day to honour the lives of Sharpeville residents who were shot and killed by apartheid police in 1960 for protesting pass laws.
South African flag. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA-2.5
JOHANNESBURG - The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) says South Africa needs leaders who are as courageous as the people of Sharpeville in order to bring about transformation.
The message came after the country commemorated Human Rights Day in honour of the residents of Sharpeville for fighting against unjust pass laws in 1960.
ALSO READ: Ramaphosa urged to take decisive action in advancing, safeguarding future generations' human rights
NUMSA raised concern over the majority of South Africans who are drowning in poverty.
The union said the sacrifices made by the people of Sharpeville couldn’t be in vain, and that if they were truly to be honoured, there needed to be deliberate efforts to bring about transformation in the country.
In March 1960, apartheid police shot and killed some residents of Sharpeville who were marching peacefully against discriminatory pass laws.
Thursday’s historical day was celebrated under the theme, "Three Decades of Respect for Promotion of Human Rights".
NUMSA also blamed capitalism for failing to transform people's lives, especially the working class.