Vote for Social Justice

Reflecting on Human Rights and the Path Ahead

Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy in South Africa

South Africa is celebrating 30 years since the dawn of democracy. It is a country where people are now free to be who they want to be and free to walk and talk within the framework of its Constitution.

Reflecting on Human Rights month and the journey of South Africa's democracy, the Liberal Workshop in Cape Town engaged with the former Public Protector of South Africa, Prof Thuli Madonsela. Madonsela, who fought hard against state capture in South Africa, now steers the Social Justice Centre at Stellenbosch University.

She shared her reflections on human rights and democracy in South Africa. Madonsela said that although South Africa has great laws, the country would have to do more to ensure restorative justice for all.

"We have some of the best laws in the world, but clearly there is something we are not doing right. There does not seem to be enough correlation between the money we have put into it and the ultimate outcomes. I suggest we need to look at our strategies," she said.

On the general elections coming up in May, Madonsela encouraged South Africans to vote for Social Justice.

"To advance and strengthen human rights, vote for yourself, and vote for your dreams. Vote for the party that carries your dream, or even the independent candidate who carries your dream. Most importantly, vote for the party and candidate that will advance social justice, for as long as there is injustice, there can't be peace anywhere," she said.

As South Africans prepare to make their mark next to the political party or, for the first time, the independent candidate of their choice, the FNF in South Africa will continue to explore opportunities to create a platform for meaningful dialogue around the future of the country.

Article by William Sezoe, Communications Officer at the FNF Liberal Workshop, Cape Town.