Twitter Users Reflect on Human Rights Day and the Sharpeville Massacre
- Twitter users reflected on Human Rights Day and the Sharpville Massacre
- Some people questioned whether the day should be celebrated but should rather be mourned
- Celebrities took the opportunity to reflect on the power of human actions on history
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South Africans have taken to social media to reflect on Human Rights Day and the Sharpeville Massacre. Quite a few people are questioning whether the public holiday should be renamed to reflect the history of the day.
Twitter users have celebrated the importance of the day in the history of South Africa and its impact on ultimately helping to end apartheid.
@AdvoBarryRoux:
"Today marks 61 years since the Sharpeville Massacre. A recorded number of 69 revolutionaries was gunned down by the Apartheid regime on this day (21 March 1960). #SharpevilleDay #SharpevilleMassacre."
Source: Twitter
"May we continue to find positive ways that can unite us ."
"Today we remember those who fought for us and lost their lives for our freedom."
"Today is a day to remember the importance of respect & love "
"We are made by our history. Happy #HumanRightsDay"
@BikoFoundation:
"March 21 1960, apartheid police opened fire on a peaceful anti-pass laws protest, killing 69 people. The #SharpevilleMassacre61 is a milestone on SA's liberation & is remembered as #HumanRightsDay in SA & International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination globally."
@ali_naka:
"It’s only Africans who are encouraged to “celebrate” heinous crimes perpetrated against them. Instead of mourning, Africans are told to Celebrate. #SharpevilleMassacre #SharpevilleDay."
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that Former South African president FW de Klerk announced on his 85th birthday that he has been diagnosed with cancer. De Klerk was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer that affects lungs tissues.
According to the FW de Klerk Foundation, the former president will be starting a course of immunotherapy, a treatment that either activates or suppresses the immune system. De Klerk's foundation revealed that there is 'no immediate threat'.
It added that it is confident that De Klerk's treatment will be successful. The 85-year-old is expected to begin his treatment next week.
In other news, Dali Mpofu wanted De Klerk's Nobel Prize stripped. Advocate Dali Mpofu committed to a campaign aimed at the stripping of the prize.
Briefly.co.za reported that the Red Berets had called for the same in a statement released in response to De Klerk reiterating his view that apartheid was not a crime against humanity.
The former EFF national chairperson had tested the waters over the weekend to determine if there was enough interest in the campaign:
"That's It! Enough is enough! If you think apartheid was a crime against humanity please join me in a non-partisan Citizens Campaign to approach the Nobel Foundation to take back the Nobel Peace Prize from FW de Klerk! At 10 000 retweets, we launch formally! Lets go! #BringBackThePrize."
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Source: Briefly News
