Eastern Cape Premier, Phumulo Masualle, has welcomed government’s decision to host Human Rights Day Celebrations in the Eastern Cape.
He said the “Home of Legends” will honour two world renowned human rights activists Stephen Bantu Biko and Oliver Reginald Tambo in this year's commemoration.
'We welcome the announcement by the National Government to hold the National Human Rights Day celebrations in King William's Town here in the Eastern Cape Province. Our province has a long and illustrious history of struggle for liberation, freedom and human rights in South Africa,” Masualle said.
“We have lost many sons and daughters in the liberation struggle of our country and it is only fitting that we remember fallen heroes like Steve Biko, the Mxenges, the Cradock three as well as many others who made the ultimate sacrifice for the betterment of all.”
Meanwhile, Nelson Mandela Bay deputy executive mayor, Mongameli Bobani, said it’s unfortunate that Tuesday’s commemmoration of the 1985 Uitenhage Massacre is not being supported by Provincial Government.
The Uitenhage Massacre happened on 21 March 1985 when police opened fire on Langa residents, killing at least 20 people.
Bobani spoke at a function at Uitenhage Town Hall, held for the Uitenhage Massacre victims on Monday.
Several families that attended the function said they were unhappy at the lack of action on the part of the municipality since the massacre.
The chairperson of the Uitenhage Masscare Foundation, Nicholas Malgas, said he was also saddened that the main Humans Right Day commemorations were being held in King Williams Town.
He said, however, that it would not deter them from celebrating the lives lost 37 years ago in Langa.
