A friend asked me how I felt about what is now happening in South Africa. I expressed my reservations about the new leadership of the ANC. Not only the president but the entire NEC. He reminded of one thing. The ANC rank and file were unhappy with the government’s delivery record - the failure to deal with crime, HIV Aids, the Zimbabwe policy and the failure to make major inroads into the alleviation of poverty.
While the black middle class are living the high life, for many there is not end in sight to poverty and the daily struggle for survival.
The ANC membership had taken the democratic option. Unhappy with government delivery, they removed the leadership and replaced it with an alternative. He pointed out that that is democracy in action.
Unfortunately democracy does not always deliver an ideal solution. The new president of the ANC - Jacob Zuma - faces a long string of charges of corruption, racketeering and fraud. He is actively trying to suppress the evidence that is available to the National Prosecuting Authority. Perhaps that is is only hope for a defence.
Last week, the Black Journalists Forum hosted a lunch at which Jacob Zuma was the guest of honour. Invitations were extended to everyone with press credentials – unless they were white. Speaking on 702 Talk Radio, Mo Shaik - Jacob’s strategy advisor and brother of the more famous Shabir – claimed that Zuma had no prior knowledge of the exclusionary nature of the event. Zuma himself later said that since he had had nothing to do with the organisation of the event, it didn’t really concern him.
No white reporters were allowed to enter, and a number of distinguished black journalists walked out of the forum in protest. They left to the derisive call of “Coconuts”. The preceding evening a vigorous radio call-in debate took place on this issue. Calls included many black people very upset at the turn of events.
In an attempt to regenerate the moral fibre of the country, a 12 point Bill of Responsibilities - endorsed by Thabo Mbeki, is to be taught in all schools as part of the Life Orientation programme. The bill is the brainchild of Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein. The aim is to instil a sense of morality and responsibility in the youth of the country to accompany the bill of rights.
Education Minister Naledi Pando also unveiled a proposed pledge to be recited daily at all schools.
Showing posts with label Bill of Responsibilities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bill of Responsibilities. Show all posts
Monday, 25 February 2008
Sunday, 24 February 2008
A Bill of Reponsibilities for the youth of South Africa
Preamble
I accept the call to responsibility that comes with the many rights and freedoms that I have been privileged to inherit from the sacrifice and suffering of those who came before me. I appreciate that the rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa are inseparable from my duties and responsibilities to others. Therefore I accept that with every right comes a set of responsibilities.
This Bill outlines the responsibilities that flow from each of the rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to equality
The right to equality places on me the responsibility to:
* treat every person equally and fairly, and
* not discriminate unfairly against anyone on the basis of race, gender, religion, national-, ethnic- or social origin, disability, culture, language, status or appearance.
South Africa is a diverse nation, and equality does not mean uniformity, or that we are all the same. Our country’s motto: !KE E: /XARRA //KE, meaning “Diverse people unite”, calls on all of us to build a common sense of belonging and national pride, celebrating the very diversity which makes us who we are. It also calls on us to extend our friendship and warmth to all nations and all the peoples of the world in our endeavour to build a better world.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to human dignity
The right to human dignity places on me the responsibility to:
* treat people with reverence, respect and dignity
* be kind, compassionate and sensitive to every human being, including greeting them warmly and speaking to them courteously.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to life
The right to life places on me the responsibility to:
* protect and defend the lives of others
* not endanger the lives of others by carrying dangerous weapons or by acting recklessly or disobeying our rules and laws.
* live a healthy life, by exercising, eating correctly by not smoking, abusing alcohol, or taking drugs, or indulging in irresponsible behaviour that may result in my being infected or infecting others with communicable diseases such as HIV and AIDS.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to family or parental care
This right expects me to:
* honour and respect my parents, and to help them,
* be kind and loyal to my family, to my brothers and sisters, my grandparents and all my relatives.
* recognise that love means long-term commitment, and the responsibility to establish strong and loving families.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to education
The right to education places on me the responsibility to:
* attend school regularly, to learn, and to work hard,
* cooperate respectfully with teachers and fellow learners and
* adhere to the rules and the Code of Conduct of the school. and concurrently places on my parents and caregivers the responsibility to:
* ensure that I attend school and receive their support and places on my teachers the responsibility to:
* promote and reflect the culture of learning and teaching in giving effect to this right.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to work
This right carries with it the responsibility for all learners, parents, caregivers and teachers to:
* work hard and do our best in everything we do.
* recognise that living a good and successful life involves hard work, and that anything worthwhile only comes with effort.
* This right must never be used to expose children to child labour. (proposed alternative: prevent children being exposed to child labour).
My responsibility in ensuring the right to freedom and security of the person
The right is upheld by my taking responsibility for:
* not hurting, bullying, or intimidating others, or allowing others to do so, and
* solving any conflict in a peaceful manner.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to own property
The right to own property places on me the responsibility to:
* respect the property of others,
* take pride in and protect both private and public property, and not to take what belongs to others.
* be honest and fair, and for those who have, to give generously to charity and good causes.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to freedom of religion, belief and opinion
The right to freedom of conscience requires me to:
* allow others to choose and practice the religion of their choice, and to hold their own beliefs and opinions, without fear or prejudice.
* respect the beliefs and opinions of others, and their right to express these, even when we may strongly disagree with these beliefs and opinions. That is what it means to be a free democracy.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to live in a safe environment
This right assumes the responsibility to:
* promote sustainable development, and the conservation and preservation of the natural environment.
* protect animal and plant-life, as well as the responsibility to prevent pollution, to not litter, and to ensure that our homes, schools, streets and other public places are kept neat and tidy.
* In the context of climate change, we are also obliged to ensure we do not waste scarce resources like water and electricity.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to citizenship
The right to citizenship expects that each of us will be good and loyal South African citizens. This means that we are responsible for:
* obeying the laws of our country,
* ensuring that others do so as well, and
* contributing in every possible way to making South Africa a great country.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to freedom of expression
The right to free expression is not unlimited, and does not allow us to:
* express views which advocate hatred, or are based on prejudices with regard to race, ethnicity, gender or religion.
* We must therefore take responsibility to ensure this right is not abused by ourselves or others, to not tell or spread lies, and to ensure others are not insulted or have their feelings hurt.
Conclusion
I accept the call of this Bill of Responsibilities, and commit to taking my rightful place as an active, responsible citizen of South Africa.
By assuming these responsibilities I will contribute to building the kind of society, which will make me proud to be a South African.
The national school pledge
We the youth of South Africa,
recognising the injustices of our past,
honour those who suffered and sacrificed for justice and freedom.
We will respect and protect the dignity of each person,
and stand up for justice.
We sincerely declare that we shall uphold the rights and values of
our constitution
and promise to act in accordance with the duties and
responsibilities
that flow from these rights.
! KE E: / XARRA / / KE
Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.
I accept the call to responsibility that comes with the many rights and freedoms that I have been privileged to inherit from the sacrifice and suffering of those who came before me. I appreciate that the rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa are inseparable from my duties and responsibilities to others. Therefore I accept that with every right comes a set of responsibilities.
This Bill outlines the responsibilities that flow from each of the rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to equality
The right to equality places on me the responsibility to:
* treat every person equally and fairly, and
* not discriminate unfairly against anyone on the basis of race, gender, religion, national-, ethnic- or social origin, disability, culture, language, status or appearance.
South Africa is a diverse nation, and equality does not mean uniformity, or that we are all the same. Our country’s motto: !KE E: /XARRA //KE, meaning “Diverse people unite”, calls on all of us to build a common sense of belonging and national pride, celebrating the very diversity which makes us who we are. It also calls on us to extend our friendship and warmth to all nations and all the peoples of the world in our endeavour to build a better world.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to human dignity
The right to human dignity places on me the responsibility to:
* treat people with reverence, respect and dignity
* be kind, compassionate and sensitive to every human being, including greeting them warmly and speaking to them courteously.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to life
The right to life places on me the responsibility to:
* protect and defend the lives of others
* not endanger the lives of others by carrying dangerous weapons or by acting recklessly or disobeying our rules and laws.
* live a healthy life, by exercising, eating correctly by not smoking, abusing alcohol, or taking drugs, or indulging in irresponsible behaviour that may result in my being infected or infecting others with communicable diseases such as HIV and AIDS.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to family or parental care
This right expects me to:
* honour and respect my parents, and to help them,
* be kind and loyal to my family, to my brothers and sisters, my grandparents and all my relatives.
* recognise that love means long-term commitment, and the responsibility to establish strong and loving families.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to education
The right to education places on me the responsibility to:
* attend school regularly, to learn, and to work hard,
* cooperate respectfully with teachers and fellow learners and
* adhere to the rules and the Code of Conduct of the school. and concurrently places on my parents and caregivers the responsibility to:
* ensure that I attend school and receive their support and places on my teachers the responsibility to:
* promote and reflect the culture of learning and teaching in giving effect to this right.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to work
This right carries with it the responsibility for all learners, parents, caregivers and teachers to:
* work hard and do our best in everything we do.
* recognise that living a good and successful life involves hard work, and that anything worthwhile only comes with effort.
* This right must never be used to expose children to child labour. (proposed alternative: prevent children being exposed to child labour).
My responsibility in ensuring the right to freedom and security of the person
The right is upheld by my taking responsibility for:
* not hurting, bullying, or intimidating others, or allowing others to do so, and
* solving any conflict in a peaceful manner.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to own property
The right to own property places on me the responsibility to:
* respect the property of others,
* take pride in and protect both private and public property, and not to take what belongs to others.
* be honest and fair, and for those who have, to give generously to charity and good causes.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to freedom of religion, belief and opinion
The right to freedom of conscience requires me to:
* allow others to choose and practice the religion of their choice, and to hold their own beliefs and opinions, without fear or prejudice.
* respect the beliefs and opinions of others, and their right to express these, even when we may strongly disagree with these beliefs and opinions. That is what it means to be a free democracy.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to live in a safe environment
This right assumes the responsibility to:
* promote sustainable development, and the conservation and preservation of the natural environment.
* protect animal and plant-life, as well as the responsibility to prevent pollution, to not litter, and to ensure that our homes, schools, streets and other public places are kept neat and tidy.
* In the context of climate change, we are also obliged to ensure we do not waste scarce resources like water and electricity.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to citizenship
The right to citizenship expects that each of us will be good and loyal South African citizens. This means that we are responsible for:
* obeying the laws of our country,
* ensuring that others do so as well, and
* contributing in every possible way to making South Africa a great country.
My responsibility in ensuring the right to freedom of expression
The right to free expression is not unlimited, and does not allow us to:
* express views which advocate hatred, or are based on prejudices with regard to race, ethnicity, gender or religion.
* We must therefore take responsibility to ensure this right is not abused by ourselves or others, to not tell or spread lies, and to ensure others are not insulted or have their feelings hurt.
Conclusion
I accept the call of this Bill of Responsibilities, and commit to taking my rightful place as an active, responsible citizen of South Africa.
By assuming these responsibilities I will contribute to building the kind of society, which will make me proud to be a South African.
The national school pledge
We the youth of South Africa,
recognising the injustices of our past,
honour those who suffered and sacrificed for justice and freedom.
We will respect and protect the dignity of each person,
and stand up for justice.
We sincerely declare that we shall uphold the rights and values of
our constitution
and promise to act in accordance with the duties and
responsibilities
that flow from these rights.
! KE E: / XARRA / / KE
Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.
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