'Sacrifices by people of Sharpeville cannot be in vain' - NUMSA
As the country commemorates Human Rights Day, NUMSA said the crippling levels of poverty and inequality in this new democracy was a cause for concern.
FILE: Wounded people lie in the street, 21 March 1960 in Sharpeville, near Vereeniging, after South African police opened fire on Black protesters. Picture: AFP
JOHANNESBURG – The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) says Human Rights Day was an important day for honouring the people of Sharpeville for fighting against the apartheid system.
Sixty-nine protestors were killed by apartheid police in 1960 for peacefully demonstrating against discriminatory pass laws.
NUMSA said it’s important to remember that the residents gave up their lives to fight against an unjust, oppressive racist system.
Spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola: "The sacrifices made by the people of Sharpeville cannot be in vain. If we truly want to honour them, then deliberate choices must be made to transform the economy for the benefit of the masses.”
NUMSA said the crippling levels of poverty and inequality in this new democracy was a cause for concern.
The union has called for the nationalisation of land and minerals to benefit all South Africans.
"That would entail nationalising the land and the minerals for the benefit of all of us, not just for an unelected wealthy few. We need leaders who are courageous, like the people of Sharpeville, in order to drive genuine transformation, for the benefit of the majority of people," Hlubi-Majola said.