The legacy of Human Rights Day must be a sustainable future for all South Africans

SSouth Africa is well known and celebrated for its iconic landmarks and the majestic Big 5. More than that, South Africa’s greatness is grounded in rich history and culture. The true magic of our country is our people.

March 21 marks Human Rights Day in South Africa, and this year the country commemorates the day under the theme: “consolidating and sustaining human rights culture into the future.”

The history of Human Rights Day is based on the Sharpeville Massacre that took place on the 21 of March 1960, where the apartheid police shot and killed 69 people during a peaceful protest march. The month is also used to celebrate the many rights guaranteed under our Constitution that we continue to enjoy today.

This year marks the 63^rd anniversary of this unfortunate, yet historic day which is crucial for South Africa’s history.  The legacy of days such as March 21 should be the assurance of a sustainable future for all South Africans and those who live in South Africa. We know our country’s history has touched many people from all over the globe and so we continue to invite them to come to experience South Africa.

In South Africa, we are fortunate to not only have beautiful tourism attractions and experiences that are rich in history and heritage but also warm, welcoming people who add to the memorable experiences that visitors can have in our country. It is vital that we use this to position and promote tourism to grow and contribute in creating much-needed jobs in our country. As a tourism entity, we continue to guard the sustainability of our sector and in so doing, ensure that the well-being of all South Africans is a top priority.  At South African Tourism we continue to support new players who are mostly Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) by giving them access to participate in the sector and showcase the plethora of cultural experiences and of course the heritage that our country has to offer – invariably growing and transforming the industry.

On the domestic tourism front, there is still much work to be done in making sure that the country’s beauty and attractions are not reserved for a select few but that in fact, all South African get to enjoy the wide variety of tourism experiences on offer – after all, it is their country!

As we invite travellers from across the world and continue to put our best foot forward showcasing our attractive, value-for-money destination, let us not forget our rich history and the people that shaped it. May we never discriminate against anyone whether it is based on race, colour or country of origin. South Africa’s history is one of triumph and long may that spirit prevail as we ourselves continue to explore and enjoy our country and also welcome visitors from all over the world.

Cumulative arrivals for the January to December 2022 period increased by 152.6% to reach 5.7 million of arrivals over the same period in 2021.

-ENDS –

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Issued by South African Tourism

For further information, contact:

Thandiwe Mathibela

GM: PR, Communications and Stakeholder Relations  

Tel: +2711 895 3177

Email: mediaq@southafrica.net  

Note to editors

South African Tourism is the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination, headed by Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Themba Khumalo.