Premier: Stand firm on rights

2010-03-20 15:51

Johannesburg - Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza on Saturday called on traditional leaders to uphold human rights.

"Traditional leaders should be reminded of their duty towards building a moral and caring society, conscious of its obligations to uphold the core values of respect for human rights, human dignity and the enjoyment of human liberties guaranteed by our Constitution," Mabuza said in his prepared remarks at the opening of Mpumalanga's House of Traditional Leaders.

"On this important occasion of the opening of the House, we must be reminded of our obligation to promote a rights-based society that protects the enjoyment of socio-economic rights and human liberties," said Mabuza.

Mabuza said that for the country's poor, democracy has not led to an improvement of quality of life.

He asked that traditional leaders who hold sway in rural areas that are afflicted by poverty to do more to improve living standards.
 

- SAPA