Durban - A host of liberation struggle heroes including Chief Albert Luthuli, Moses Kotane, Robert Sobukwe and Ahmed Kathrada were honoured and remembered as KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize addressed a gathering celebrating Human Rights Day in Howick on Sunday.
"The most significant thing is that we are gathered to remember thousands of people who converged in different venues across South Africa on this day in 1960 to demonstrate, peacefully, their opposition to the legislation which was designed to restrict the movement of the African people in their country of birth," Mkhize said.
The premier said South Africans and government remain indebted and inspired by their selfless struggle for a peaceful, united, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous democratic society.
Despite government's progress since the first democratic elections, Mkhize said there is still a need to accelerate the provision of basic services to South Africans.
"We have to ensure that many of our people especially those living in rural areas have access to water and electricity. Water and electricity are basics needs for human life".
The premier called on all KZN residents to join hands with government to strengthen programmes in order to steer the province in the right direction. He said, working with one heart and one mind: "Working with one heart and one mind, let's build a better future together."
Turning his attention to one of the biggest challenges facing South Africa, Mkhize said: "As we commemorate this day, we need to detest incidences of crime. Crime has become the biggest threat to our human rights since the demise of apartheid. As government we reiterate our respect for the rights of citizens to live in a crime free society".
He urged communities to become involved in the campaign to create safer neighborhoods. "If crime is allowed to prevail, the provision of quality education to our children will be impossible".
"Establishing an environment in which people can truly live together in peace is the responsibility of all the people of this province," he said.
