Human Rights Day will come alive once again at the Constitution Hill when music and arts collide this weekend.
This is as the 6th edition of the Constitution Hill Human Rights festival takes place amid a litany of socio-economical challenges in the country.
The festival kicks-off on Thursday, March 21 and wraps up on Sunday, March 24.
The festival has gained prominence through bringing together various NGOs, social justice organizations, think tanks, media partners and others, to highlight human rights issues affecting South Africans through film, art, music and though-provoking conversations.
With an array of short and feature films to be screened as part of the festival, organisers have earmarked award-wining actress and script writer, Mmabatho Montsho as the curator of this year’s film festival.
“It’s an honour to be invited by ConHill to be at the helm of the 2024 Human Rights Film Festival. My role has included sourcing and curating films, panel discussions, workshops, fundraising and initiating long term relationships with relevant partners. Together with ConHill, I look forward to growing the festival and establishing it as one of the defining festivals for filmmakers in Africa in the coming years,” the actress said.
Acting CEO of Constitution Hill, Siyabonga Hlongwane, said the festival aimed to build greater awareness and knowledge around human rights, and promote the importance of an active citizenry.
“In this safe and special space, people will be able to discuss challenges facing our country and the world, and how best we, the people, can coordinate our efforts to bring about lasting and consequential change based on social justice and human rights,” Hlongwane said.
This year’s human rights festival coincides with the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s Democracy. This milestone is an opportunity for everyone to recommit to the values of our constitution and uphold them to foster equality, dignity, freedom and justice for all.
The festival will also bring together community-based organisations, social movements, non-governmental organisations, and international non-governmental organisations with the aim of also tackling the scourge of GBV and bring about awareness of minority groups in society, said Thami Dish, founder of the Thami Dish Foundation.
“Queer persons are asked to vote for X in the next democratic election. We make our mark on the ballot hoping that our confidence in a party will not be taken for granted. For far too long we’ve been co-opted without service delivery that translates to our everyday lives. This dialogue asks political parties to make valid their seduction of the queer vote, and it is about time too!” says Thami Dish.
The Star