Human Rights Week

19 - 23 March 2001

Objectives

To launch the Free State's provincial office.
To link our national programmes such as human rights in farming communities, national action plan and strategy to combat racism, and human rights in education.
To highlight the conditions and problems experienced by learners in farm schools in the Free State and other provinces where human rights activities will be taking place.
To encourage child participation, by encouraging learners from farm schools to speak out about their living conditions.
To encourage children to compete in the poster competition.
To mobilise private sector companies to sign up and pledge their commitment to combating racism.

The program for the human rights activities includes:

Farm School Visits

Five schools identified by the SAHRC and the Department of Education will be visited by a delegation consisting of Dr Barney Pityana Chairperson of the Commission, Commissioners Nkeli, Wessels and Majodina, Mr M Mangena Deputy-Minister of Education, representatives from the Free State Dept of Education, Dr Paul Shongwe a representative of Standard Bank, representative from the Agri-Free State, JB Skosana HOD Advocacy, Bronwynne Pereira Campaigns Manager and Masego Phetlu Education Officer, Free State Office. During the visits the delegation will interface with the learners and their teachers on the learning and teaching environment in farm schools with specific focus on human rights. The proceedings will be accompanied by cultural events organised by the schools and media and press conferences have been arranged to capture all visits. The annual poster competition will also be launched at the school visits.

Business Breakfast

About 40 business people representing the cross-spectrum of business organisations in the Free State have been invited to a Business Breakfast co-ordinated by Dr Russel Ally (co-ordinator of the National Action Plan against Racism). All those invited have been specifically asked to endorse the Millennium Statement on Racism and Programme of Action. Special certificates will be handed out to those individuals and organisations that pledge a commitment to the principles and vision of the Millennium Statement.

The main purpose of the Business Breakfast is to popularise the South African Millennium Statement on Racism and Programme of Action and to seek the endorsement of the Statement by business people and organisations in the Free State. The Business Breakfast will also seek to:

notify the business community of the official opening of the Commission's Free State office;
promote and encourage a good working relationship between the Commission and the Free State business community; and
inform the business community of the Commission's farming communities project.

Human Rights Day Celebrations

The launch of the Free State office will take place on Human Rights Day at the municipal council's chambers called "Glas Paleis". The Mayor of Bloemfontein will officially host the event. The programme of the event will include speeches by the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission Dr Pityana, the Premier of the Free State Ms Winkie Direko and the Mayor of Bloemfontein Mr Pappie Mokoena. The Mayor will host a mayoral lunch for the invited dignitaries. The formalities will be followed by a festival where local artists will perform at the Hoffmann Square

Full Programme

DAY 1: 19 MARCH 2001- LAUNCH OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK

HOU AAN FARM SCHOOL – (ODENDAALSRUS)

09:00-09:30
Tour of the Farm School

09:30-09:40
Opening and Welcome – Principal

09:40-10:00 – Facilitator – Mr Nkonka
Address by Chairperson of the Commission – Dr Barney Pityana

10:00-10:20 – Facilitator – Mr Nkonka
Address by the Deputy Minister of Education – Mr Mosibudi Mangena

10:20-11:00 – Facilitator – Masego Phetlu
Introducing of Poster Competition
Masego Phetlu

11:00-12:00
Learner and Educator Participation Event

12:00 -12:30
School Cultural Event

12:30-13:00
ABI Music Entertainment for the children
Vote of Thanks – Mr Nkonka – Dept of Education

LUNCH AND CLOSURE

400 learners will be present, 200 from Hou Aan and the rest from neighbouring schools

Delegation – There is 60 guests. They consist of the following:

Farmers – Farmer from Hou Aan as well as neighbouring farmers

Dept of Education

Educators

SAHRC Commission

Media

Governing Body

DAY 2: 20 MARCH 2001 FARM SCHOOL VISIT (WELKOM)

09:00-11:00
Commissioner Majodina, Bronwynne and Masego together with the Dept of Education visits Itoketseng school

DAY 2: 20 MARCH 2001 BUSINESS BREAKFAST (PROTEA HOTEL, BLOEMFONTEIN)

08:30 –10:30
Commissioners Wessells, Nkeli, Jacob, Jeffrey, Pat to attend.
40 guests from the business sector will be present.
MC for the event in Comm Wessels and Commissioner Nkeli to give keynote address. Russell to give an input as well
(CEO and Deputy CEO to arrive in Welkom)

DAY 3: 21 MARCH 2001 HUMAN RIGHTS DAY - LAUNCH OF THE FREE STATE OFFICE (PROTEA HOTEL, BLOEMFONTEIN)

09:00-10:00
Human Rights Exhibition of various publications on Human Rights

10:00-10:15
Welcome Address – Mayor of Bloemfontein

10:15-10:40
Address by SAHRC Chairperson – Dr Barney Pityana

10:40-11:00
Address by Premier of Free State – Ms Direko

11:00-11:20
Address by Minister of Justice – Dr Penuell Maduna

11:20-12:00
Pledges by various sectors. Their commitment to building human rights in the Free State
Agri-Free State
Forum for Democracy and Human Rights Education
Youth Commission
Business Sector

12:-12:10
Address by the Free State Commission Nkeli
Closure
Mayoral lunch will be served

Afternoon Human Rights Day Festival 12h00-18h00 @ HOFFMANN SQUARE

12:00-12:30
Music and entertainment by the DJ, The Human Rights Marathon would have ended and medals will be handed out to the winners

12:30-13:00
Gumboot Dance and Drama

13:00-14:00
Thoko Dance Group

14:00
Address by Chairperson of Human Rights Commission (8 minutes max)

Music
Stage set up for choir

14:20
Kinder Koor of Bloemfontein

14:50
Address by Premier (10 minutes)

15:00
Music – Song by DJ

15:15-15:25
Minister of Justice

Music – DJ

15:30-16:00
Maru Band

DJ Music – Music Playing

16:10-17:00
Dillo Band

DJ Music

17:15-17:40
Alah Yen and Gift

17:40-18:00
Nateze

CLOSURE

DAY 4: FARM SCHOOL VISIT (BLOEMFONTEIN)

08:0-10:00
Commissioner Nkeli, Wessels, Bronwynne and Masego - visit to Kgotsofalo school 40 km from Bloemfojtein

10:30-14:00
Drive to Harrismith

DAY 5: FARM SCHOOL VISIT (HARRISMITH)

Visit – Khanye School 08:00 –10:00

Visit to Sibonakaliso

For more information contact Bronwynne Pereira on 011 484-8300

Source: http://www.sahrc.org.za. (Go to Newsroom), 9 March 2001

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Last modified: 16 September 2004 10:41:42.