Culture, History and Unity are what one tends to think of when it comes to the celebration of Human Rights. But what is most often forgotten is the journey taken to achieve these celebrated freedoms.
The Journey to Celebrating Human Rights
On the 24th of March 2023, the SHAWCO Law team was invited to the National Heritage Dialogue at the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town. From the moment one steps into the castle you are mesmerised by its beauty and transported into a world of fantasy. However, this fairy tale is far from perfect and is often short-lived. This is so as despite the beauty that resides on the surface, the harsh history of slavery, colonialism and racial discrimination haunts its grounds calling for recognition to be given to the struggle and hardship that has passed. The castle thus symbolises a beacon of progress as it acts as a connection between the past, present and future making it the perfect location to reflect on South Africa’s rich history.
The National Heritage Dialogue: Reflecting on South Africa’s History
The SHAWCO Law executive council was fortunate enough to witness South Africa’s heritage guardians in action. The group witnessed multiple speakers share their work and how they choose to preserve the uncommon history of the country that is often forgotten. This display had ranged from the renaming of modern roads and buildings to the call for the preservation of traditional leader’s history in a strive for balance between South Africa’s past and future.
Balancing the Past and the Future: Moving Forward with Preservation
The main question that was raised within the dialogue was how can one move forward whilst also preserving the history and culture of those that had arrived before us. How does one move forward with the remembrance of the past without allowing it to stagnate the growth of the future? The answer is complex. What can be affirmed is that the preservation of culture and history does not call for the halt of future development; instead, it is a way to allow future generations to grow from the past and strive for a better South Africa.
Law Students’ Appreciation for History and Progress
The overall takeaway from the dialogue was that one must be sure to remember the past to prosper in the future. History and culture are the pillars of progress and without coming to realise that one cannot build success without running into error.
As law students the group found the event gratifying as it granted each person a deeper appreciation for the history, progress and development of our country’s fight for progress. This is so as we were able to trace how far we have come in terms of our constitutional dispensation and the evolution of our human rights. Although the war is far from won and there is still a lot more we can do as a nation to shower prosperity amongst all people, it was a great pleasure to witness that there are people taking steps in the right direction.
