South Africa remembers 1960 apartheid massacre

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - Thousands of South Africans on Wednesday commemorated the 58th anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre during which police killed 69 protesters opposed to apartheid laws.

Hundreds of protesters were also injured during the incident on March 21, 1960 who were demonstrating against the law that required black South Africans to carry an identity document known as the pass book. Those found without such a document were liable for arrested.

In South Africa, the Sharpeville massacre is commemorated as a Human Rights Day.

Senior officials paid tribute to the protesters and laid wreaths at their graves.

“We celebrate the heroism of those who stood in defiance against apartheid,” Deputy President David Mabuza told a crowd in Sharpeville South of Johannesburg.

Mabuza said the apartheid-era pass law was meant to subjugate the black majority through oppression and render them as beggars in their own country.

He condemned “the resurgence of racism in our country”, adding that racial tones were becoming common at different workplaces across the country.

He said the racist behavior of some people in the country had rendered the struggle of South African freedom fighters worthless, reminding that people fought for their rights to create a non-racist society.

Mabuza urged his countrymen to work hard in championing the expansion of justice and rights of other citizens, especially those who were vulnerable.

He pledged to work towards uplifting the lives of poor people living in the historic Sharpeville Township who continue to live in poverty and face unemployment.

“This day should also remind us that freedom is meaningless if majority of our people are poor,” he added.