This year's theme, A Just and Inclusive South Africa, was chosen to spark conversations around questions such as, "How do we move from ideals to action?" and, "How do we dismantle the barriers to true equality?"
The festival was created to honour the heroes who stood up for their rights during the Sharpeville 1960 massacre. It aims to increase awareness and knowledge about human rights and promote the importance of an active citizenry. Strengthening social cohesion, promoting tolerance of differences, and healing divisions in our communities are just a few of the festival's goals.
By bringing together NGOs, social justice organisations, think tanks, media partners, and others, the festival seeks to open up dialogue around human rights issues. So it's not just talking about change – it's about making it happen.
The festival programme
The Human Rights Festival consists of four jam-packed days of conversations, exhibitions, art, film, poetry, theatre, live performances, children’s programmes, a book fair, and a market. It includes a drumming activation – 1000 Drums for Solidarity – on Mar 21, an unmissable night of live performances at the Sounds of Freedom Concert on Mar 22, and the iconic 8km We, The People Walk through Joburg on Sun, Mar 23.
There is also a book fair and activism village, a human rights film festival, a makers market, dialogues and workshops about social justice issues, a children's festival, and more than 50 social justice organisations in attendance. View the official programme here.
The Human Rights Festival is a wonderful opportunity for us to recommit to the values of our constitution and uphold them to foster equality, dignity, freedom, and justice for all. Check it out at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein from Thu, Mar 20 – Sun, Mar 23. The festival is free to attend.
