Turning to the ongoing power cuts, Ramaphosa said that electricity is also a human right.
The South African government dedicated this year’s Human Rights Day commemorations to the promotion of indigenous languages, including sign language, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in Sharpeville today.
He said the commemorations are aimed at highlighting efforts to conserve languages that are in danger of becoming extinct, such as Nama language of the Khoisan people.“A language rule book is being finalised by the Pan South African Language Board. The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities is actively involved in resuscitating Isihlubi, Isibhaca, Northern Ndebele and other indigenous languages,” Ramaphosa said.
“Energy, like housing, water and health care, is a human rights issue. It may not be mentioned in the Bill of Rights, but it is fundamental to the dignity, safety, health and well-being of our people. None dare deny that we have made remarkable progress in providing our people with access to electricity. In 1994, only 36 percent of the population had access to electricity. Today, eight out of 10 South Africans have electricity in their homes,” Ramaphosa said.
The president said the country has confronted difficulties before and will “prevail again” by working together.
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