Everyone should have rights to basic goods and services
The South African Constitution and Bill of Rights outline that every South African has the right to basic social needs, such as adequate food, drinking water, sanitation, shelter, clothing, health care, electricity and education.
Yet, all too often, South Africans need to raise their voices and even resort to violent protests and demonstrations before local municipalities and national government act, to give them the basic goods and services they need to lead dignified lives.
This is according to Chantel Cronje, legal advisor at Legal & Tax Services.
Cronje says that South Africa’s Constitution and Bill of Rights were shaped by the belief that every South African has the right to the basic goods and services that lay a foundation for a life of human dignity.
“With the thought of apartheid fresh in their memories, the architects of the Constitution and Bill of Rights wanted to ensure that the majority of people would not continue to be deprived of basic goods and services, as everyone needs to have a decent standard of living,” says Cronje.
Some examples of these rights are:
· Everyone has the right to have access to adequate housing.
· Everyone has the right to have access to health care services, including reproductive health care.
· Everyone has the right to sufficient food, drinking water and sanitation.
· Everyone has the right to basic education.
· Everyone has the right to social security and assistance, including if they are unable to support themselves and their dependents.
“On March 21, South Africa will celebrate Human Rights Day, therefore we should be asking why so many South Africans are deprived of their right to basic goods and services,”says Cronje.
“It is particularly moving that this holiday celebrates the sacrifice of people who died during the Sharpville demonstrations, when so many still need to take to the streets to be heard.
“The violent protests we see are an expression of people’s anger that their requests for a dignified life have been denied – we should ask what every person can do to ensure that the lives of the poor and disadvantaged are improved.”
Cronje says this means that all consumers, civil rights organisations, trade unions, businesses, government bodies and charities should work together to create a society that caters for all South Africans.
“Rather than waiting for the frustrations of the poor to erupt in violent protests, South African society should be looking for ways to address the shortfalls in services and rights that so many communities experience,” she adds.
“Government has limited capacity and funding, and the needs of many communities are desperate.
“Social justice should be a concern for everyone on Human Rights Day – and not just for the government.”
