"Beyond the ballot": President urges citizens to take responsibility for Human Rights

President Cyril Ramaphosa has said South Africans have a responsibility to uphold the country’s constitution and Human Rights.

He was speaking at the Human Rights Day commemoration in Kimberley, Northern Cape on Saturday.

During his address, Ramaphosa honoured the victims of the Sharpeville massacre, marking the day in 1960 when police killed 69 people protesting against oppressive pass laws.

Ramaphosa also emphasised the importance of former President Nelson Mandela signing the Constitution in Sharpeville 30-years ago calling it a symbol of equality, dignity and unity.

"The constitutional assembly was determined that ours should be a homegrown constitution with broad legitimacy and acceptable to all South Africans. For nearly a year and a half, we travelled through cities and villages, suburbs and townships, factories and farms to gather people’s contributions to the constitution," said Ramaphosa.