Residents of Langa in Cape Town say their basic human rights are not being protected.
This is as the country commemorates Human Rights Day today.
Hundreds of people gathered in Langa in 1960 to march against the then-passed laws.
The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) is also expected to commemorate the event with a gathering at a local memorial site later this morning.
One Langa resident says, “We are still living under the same conditions our forefathers and fathers were living in. At least they were better at that time because most of the people at that time were working.”
Another adds: “We are not free yet. The youth is unemployed, and jobs are taken by people from outside who came to the country illegally. Even the drugs that are rife are caused by people without papers.”
Pan Africanist Congress calls for land restoration:
Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town is expected to announce major upgrades as part of the 100-year celebrations of the Langa township.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis will address the media later on Tuesday on plans, which include restorations to historical monuments, precinct improvements and a public participation process on a new heroes memorial.
A series of community events, including a major three-day open-air festival, is also part of their plans. The plans are intended to complement community initiatives to commemorate the township’s anniversary.
