15 July 2004

By Clifford Mogotsi

A HIGH-LEVEL panel took part in a workshop at the mayoral chambers recently to discuss turning Mogale City into a human-rights city.

Topics ranged from the concept of human rights to the legal implications; from education and the need to change attitudes, to accountability and the role of the council and the city's various communities.

Participants tackled some hard questions, and councillors and legal advisors pointed out key policies and the City's vision.

Sury Pillay, the legal advisor in the office of the mayor, said the starting point was to formulate and convey the holistic human-rights framework in a way that was meaningful to people. It was important to spread the message and make it known to and understood by all.

"We are not claiming to be a human-rights city yet, but we are in the process of building Mogale City into one," she said.

Krugersdorp's chief magistrate, Jacoba Visagie, applauded the City for taking the initiative.

"We need to start with individuals - respect each other and interact together. Nothing will stop us from building this city into a better place in South Africa," she said.

It was important that citizens and policy-makers properly understood human rights and the obligations and the responsibilities entailed.

Visagie answered a question from Eunice Segatlhe, a councillor, about evictions from farms in the rural districts. She explained that due process had to take place; people could not be kicked off land illegally.

"There should be notices issued and the courts of law must be involved."

Farouk Bhayat, the council's speaker, emphasised that if Mogale City were to be a human-rights city it would mean that women and men would have to participate as equals in making decisions. They would "with their elected authorities, join in planning and implementing human, social and economic development guided by the human-rights framework".

Minar Pimple - the executive director of Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (an Indian NGO) and a board member of the People's Movement for Human Rights - was the guest speaker. He said he was impressed by Mogale City's plans. He had read through various documents, including the integrated development plan and Mogale City's vision and mission.

Pimple, who has worked with various governments, shared his expertise with those at the workshop.

"I have travelled around the world, visiting different cities on issues of human rights, and as far as I have seen Mogale City has the requirements and potential to be a human-rights city."

In his two-hour presentation Pimple also outlined strategies for Mogale City's transformation.

The foundations of a human-rights city were laws, policies, resources and relationships, he said. The implementation of such laws and policies were dependant on accountability, reciprocity, participation and education.

Continuous human-rights education was needed to "enhancing knowledge, clarify values, change attitudes, develop critical understanding and promote solidarity".

Pimple suggested ways to create a human-rights city - such as developing a common vision, designing plans and setting up a steering committee.

It was important, he told the workshop, to include all communities - from women's groups to municipal structures, from religious bodies to workers and employees.

Although other council commitments prevented the mayor, Lentswe Mokgatle, from attending, he met Pimple before the workshop and discussed human rights with him.