​​​​Every year, Stellenbosch University commemorates Human Rights Day on 21 March with the rest of the country as part of the institution's commitment to the South African Bill of Rights and consequently the right to human dignity, equality and freedom for staff and students.

Latching on to SU's specific values of respect, equity and compassion, SU strives to ensure that staff and students' rights to access higher education and be included in the total transformative experience – which is not just academically orientated but also co-curricular – are respected.

In line with Human Rights Day on 21 March, the focus this month at SU is on social justice. That is according to the 'Framework for stakeholder engagement at SU in 2019', approved by the Rectorate on 5 February (click on the hyperlinked title above to download).

“The theme of social justice resonates well with SU's overall guiding document, Vision 2040 and Strategic Framework 2019–2024, which was approved by Council in June last year and is being implemented from the start of this year," SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers said.

“In terms of our Vision 2040, one of the formal aspirations of the University is to become a transformed and integrated academic community that celebrates critical thinking, promotes debate and is committed to democracy, human rights and social justice."

“One of the six new core strategic themes being implemented institution-wide is to build a thriving Stellenbosch University. Our Strategic Framework lists eight institutional goals for this theme, of which the first is to cultivate a University characterised by inclusivity, deep and intentional transformation, and diversity."

“One of the University's five new values is equity, which in our Vision 2040 is defined as restitution in response to our past legacy and fairness in our aspirations for the future."

When asked to share their views on human rights, students and staff members had the following to say:

• Prof Sandra Liebenberg, HF Oppenheimer Chair in Human Rights Law and Vice-President, United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: “Poverty and inequality are the two major challenges facing the human rights movement both in South Africa and globally. The growing gulf between rich and poor undermines not only civil and political rights, but also economic, social and cultural rights. We need to find urgent policy responses that address these interrelated challenges using the human rights principles of participation, accountability, non-discrimination, transparency and respect for human dignity."

• Prof Hester C Klopper, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy and Internationalisation, Stellenbosch University: “We are celebrating Human Rights Day while the world is still reeling in shock following the brutal and deliberate killing of Muslims in Christchurch, New Zealand. And in a very ironic and surreal manner, this incident invariably brings back the gruesome images of Sharpeville and the atrocities of a wretched time in the history of our country. But even more paradoxical, is that in our quest for social and restorative justice we've experienced Boipatong, Marikana, the Life Esidimeni disaster and the ongoing killings at Glebelands, each representing grotesque violations of human rights. The common thread running through all these incidents is human life ravaged and destroyed on the altar of political and economic expediency. On this Human Rights Day, let us ponder and reassess our commitment to a just society characterised and guided by the sacredness of life, the value we attach to our common humanity and the limitless potential of the human spirit to do good. Our people and our country deserve nothing less."
  
  
• Dr Chris Jones, Unit for Moral Leadership:  “As we look back over the last 25 years, we should celebrate the promotion and protection of human rights, honour those who fought for our liberation and commemorate the rights and the constitution we enjoy today."
  
  
• Prof Nico Koopman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel: “When we commemorate and celebrate Human Rights Day, we remember our vision of a society where rights are implemented in service of dignity, healing, justice, freedom and equality."
  
  
• Prof Juliana Claassens, Chair of the Department of Old and New Testament and Head of the Gender Unit: “As more women and men are standing up, taking a stand, we may be reminded not only once a year, but once a week, that we will not have succeeded in cultivating a human rights culture until we have come to accept that human rights also constitute gender rights."
   
• Mr Bongani Mgijima, Director: SU Museum: “Human Rights Day always reminds me of the selfless sacrifices made by the men and women who came before us. Our freedom came at a huge cost and we must endeavour to use all the means at our disposal to create a non- racial, non-sexist society."
  
  
• Mr Leighton September, Secretary-General:  Students' Representative Council: “My definition of human rights is the right of every person to be treated equally to everyone else, and to be respected for who and what they are. Social justice according to my understanding cannot exist without its counterpart, social injustice, meaning that we have to address the injustices of the past and those in our current situation if we want to move forward to live in a truly equal society one day."​