Statement by Jan de Villiers MP – DA National Spokesperson:
Today, on Human Rights Day, South Africa reflects on the promise of basic human rights for all, including dignity, freedom, and equality – but also an undeniable essential of human life: the right to drinking water.
Human rights are not abstract ideals. They are the difference between life and death. The right to clean water, is one such right and it is being denied to millions by failing ANC local governments.
But the right to water is among other rights that matter too. The right to a safe environment should mean communities can live without fear, in a state of dignity. Universal suffrage should ensure that every South African has an equal voice in shaping our future.
At the heart of these rights is the power of people to choose a local government that puts their needs first. A government that protects their freedoms, delivers basic services, and upholds the rule of law, and the Constitution.
Yet, too many South Africans are still denied these basic rights. Across our country, failing local governance continues to undermine access to water, to basic safety, and erodes trust in democratic institutions.
Globally, we are also reminded that human rights can never be taken for granted. Ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions continue to expose millions to hardship, displacement, and abuse.
On this day, the Democratic Alliance reaffirms our commitment to building a South Africa where rights are not only protected in law, but realised in practice. We have already proven this where the DA governs, and we are ready to not only uphold rights but to actually realise the rights to services like water, to all South Africans where we are given the mandate to govern.
South Africans have a responsibility to ensure they are correctly registered to vote, to use their power to vote for a local government that works for all its people. Every individual can live with dignity, safety, and opportunity if they have a government that realises their rights to dignity, safety and opportunity.
This Human Rights Day let us all agree that water is a human right and it is time to end the ANC violation of human rights at local government level.
girl brownie
Fun South African Fact: South Africa is known as the “Rainbow Nation” thanks to its mix of cultures across the country. The status of being a cultural “melting pot” is evident in the fact that South Africa has a whopping 11 official languages: English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, IsiNdebele, Sesotho, Northern Sotho, Setswana, SiSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga. Most South Africans speak more than one national language. IsiZulu is the most common first language and isiXhosa is second. Fun fact – did you know the people of Wakanda speak isiXhosa in Marvel’s Black Panther movie?
Mud Pie Man
Chow – to eat / food. Often used when talking about food, this term can be used as a verb, meaning to eat, or when talking about the food itself.Example: “Let’s chow my bru!” / “This chow is spicy!”