THE DA yesterday said the greatest tribute South Africans can pay those who lost their lives in the 1960 anti-pass protests was to vote for change.
"On this Human Rights Day, and as we head towards a local government election, every South African should consider the power of their vote to affect real change," DA leader Helen Zille told Ga-Phaahla residents in Mpumalanga who came out to celebrate the 51st anniversary of the Sharpeville and Langa massacres.
"If people don't think that the government is delivering these rights, they have a right to vote them out of power. That is why, out of all the rights that come with a democracy, none is more important than the right to vote," Zille said.
She said the task for those who are alive today was to find ways of redressing apartheid's legacy.
"This means ensuring that all our people have access to decent health care, education and the prospect of a job. It means delivering basic services such as clean water, sanitation and electricity so that people can live in dignity."
She said it was not enough to compare the South Africa of today to the country of the past.
"We must compare (it) to the South Africa it can become tomorrow." As part of that tomorrow South Africa must focus on growing the economy and creating jobs for all, "instead of trying to appease vested interests".
"We could do whatever it takes to assist the poor and vulnerable, instead of whatever it takes to enrich ourselves and our friends.
"We could focus on getting the basics of our education system right, so that every child can read, write and calculate when they finish school," she said.
Paying tribute to those killed by apartheid security forces during the anti-pass marches, Zille said: "We pay tribute to these men, women and children. They paid the ultimate price in the struggle for liberty, equality and dignity. We shall never forget them."
Vote for real change, says Zille
THE DA yesterday said the greatest tribute South Africans can pay those who lost their lives in the 1960 anti-pass protests was to vote for change.
"On this Human Rights Day, and as we head towards a local government election, every South African should consider the power of their vote to affect real change," DA leader Helen Zille told Ga-Phaahla residents in Mpumalanga who came out to celebrate the 51st anniversary of the Sharpeville and Langa massacres.
"If people don't think that the government is delivering these rights, they have a right to vote them out of power. That is why, out of all the rights that come with a democracy, none is more important than the right to vote," Zille said.
She said the task for those who are alive today was to find ways of redressing apartheid's legacy.
"This means ensuring that all our people have access to decent health care, education and the prospect of a job. It means delivering basic services such as clean water, sanitation and electricity so that people can live in dignity."
She said it was not enough to compare the South Africa of today to the country of the past.
"We must compare (it) to the South Africa it can become tomorrow." As part of that tomorrow South Africa must focus on growing the economy and creating jobs for all, "instead of trying to appease vested interests".
"We could do whatever it takes to assist the poor and vulnerable, instead of whatever it takes to enrich ourselves and our friends.
"We could focus on getting the basics of our education system right, so that every child can read, write and calculate when they finish school," she said.
Paying tribute to those killed by apartheid security forces during the anti-pass marches, Zille said: "We pay tribute to these men, women and children. They paid the ultimate price in the struggle for liberty, equality and dignity. We shall never forget them."
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