‘Stalin’s’ human rights manifesto
Eric Mtshali, member of Freedom Charter signing committee, says the youth need to understand SA history
ONE of the few surviving members who signed the Freedom Charter has spoken out about the issues that plague the country, ahead of Human Rights Day.
Eric Mtshali, 84, better known in political circles as “Stalin”, still remembers the fateful Sharpeville massacre on March 21, 1960, when apartheid police opened fire on the crowd who were demonstrating against the repressive apartheid laws. Sixty-nine were killed.
Mtshali is seen as a torchbearer in the ANC, SACP and Cosatu alliance.
He said a fitting tribute to Human Rights Day would be for the government to explain why the “country is in a state of crisis”.
He was referring to land issues, unemployment, free higher education and pointed to the recent SA Socialw Security Agency saga which had to be resolved by the Constitutional Court.
He said he was privileged to be part of the country’s history but was saddened by the state of affairs.
“We should not be discussing whether our grants will be paid or not. It is our right. The state has enough money to pay the beneficiaries. This is disappointing, it means our country is failing to handle its finances. We should be moving forward to other pressing issues.”
Mtshali said the country had come a long way since 1960 when people were killed marching against pass laws.
“Our country is open to anyone. We have shown the world we are capable of developing our economy in partnership with developing countries. However, true human rights will be celebrated once the government manages to tackle the pressing issues affecting underprivileged people.”
He said human rights should be celebrated as an outcome of the Freedom Charter which became the ANC manifesto. He said human rights should be a symbol of internal resistance against any injustice.
“A call was sent out to the people of South Africa by the Congress Alliance for proposals for the content of a freedom charter concerning issues such as land, industry, human rights, education and law. A lot has been done, but a lot still needs to be done.”
He urged the government to act swiftly on the land issue and economic transformation as stated in the charter.
“As a communist, I believe the wealth of this country should be shared. Capitalists are ‘boxing’ our wealth and it’s affecting mostly people on the ground level.”
Mtshali said human rights meant entitlement, restoration of human dignity and access to education and economy.
He criticised students for burning university infrastructure while protesting for free and decolonised education.
“Our young people should understand the history of our country and play their part in ensuring that the next generation will be grateful for what they achieved in their lifetime.”
Mtshali emphasised that the government and the private sector should play a central role in addressing unemployment issues, which he believed was the main concern of the youth.