History

Research
Task
Grade 10

Kyle Marcus
Contents

1 What is the definition of heritage? ................................................................................................... 2

2 Ideology and debates on heritage ..................................................................................................... 2
3 The history of human rights day ...................................................................................................... 3
4 Why does the government commemorate human rights day? ......................................................... 3
5 How commemoration of human rights contributes to nation building ............................................ 4
6 How commemoration of human rights day is connected to the constitution ................................... 4
The 21st of March also known as Human rights day is celebrated as a public holiday in South Commented [V1]: The

Africa, this day is culturally and historically significant for South African history as well as
for the present, In this essay I will be making the case that it is important to commemorate Commented [V2]: I will be making the case that the importance
of com..
human rights day as understanding our past helps us better understand our present, since Commented [V3]: Lies in our understanding of the past which
will help us..
important lessons, traditions, and cultural aspects are passed down through different
generations. This essay will be divided into six sub-headings I will use to make this
argument.

1 What is the definition of heritage?

Heritage is anything that has been transmitted from the past or handed down by tradition, or Commented [V4]: Passed down
Commented [V5]: history
a way of life practiced in the past, anything we may discover or know about the past may be
Commented [V6]:
considered as our heritage. Heritage is not simply history but rather that which we choose to Commented [V7]: something
keep, and value from the past.
Heritage can, therefore, be defined as that part of our history which defines us and which we
cherish. Commented [V8]: different word choice here

Often people speak of “personal heritage”-that from the past which is distinctly one’s own, Commented [V9]: no, start with saying that were are different
forms of heritage and one of those is personal heritage
but here I am referring to ‘collective heritage”-those things from the past that belongs to a Commented [V10]: however,

group of people with whom we identify or even relate to in some way.

Collective heritage is important for two reasons. Firstly sharing a heritage provides us with a
common past; this also gives us a sense of identity and belonging. Second, a shared heritage
is like a rich mine from which we may select the good we choose to cherish and to celebrate Commented [V11]: no don’t use flowery words

with others. These two aspects of collective heritage are closely related as both tie as to other
human beings, creating among us the strongest of human bonds. The main difference is that
the first –knowledge of our common past plays a significant role in understanding ourselves,
therefore shaping our future This aspect of heritage helps us to see what we are and why we
are, not only that but it helps us understand our place in the world. The second aspect of
heritage –the ability to choose and cherish what we value in our history and allows us to take Commented [V12]: again word choice

pride and satisfaction in which we are, it also points to our possible futures: what we want we
be, and where we want to go.

2 Ideology and debates on heritage

Heritage can mean different things to different people especially in the South African context
as we are a country with wildly diverse cultures. Each of these cultures has its own traditions,
beliefs, and heritage which may be at odds with one another. A good example would be the
“Rhodes must fall” movement which happened not too long ago and the movement to
exclude Afrikaans from universities.
In these two cases the heritage sites and language of one community namely the Afrikaner
community directly affected other communities; this proves that different people have
different views on the ideology of another person’s heritage

3 The history of human rights day

Human rights are rights that everyone should have simply because they are human. In 1948,
the United Nations defined 30 articles of human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human
rights. It established universal human rights on the basis of humanity, freedom, justice, and
peace.

In South Africa, Human rights day is historically linked to the 21st March 1960 Sharpeville
massacre and the history of Apartheid. On that day 69 people lost their lives and 180 men,
woman and children were wounded when police opened fire on a peaceful crowd that had
gathered in protest against the Apartheid Pass Laws. Human rights day marked ordinary
people rising in unison to claim their rights. Originally human rights day was known
Sharpeville day and was renamed human rights day by the government to place emphasis on
the human rights that were violated that day. It became an iconic date in our countries history
and today we commemorate it as human rights Day as a reminder of our rights and the cost
that was paid for our most human rights.

4 Why does the government commemorate human rights day?

The democratic government declared March 21 human rights day to commemorate and honor
those who fought and lost their lives for our liberation and the rights we enjoy today. Our
constitution is known as one of the most progressive in the world. The constitution is the
prime protector of our human rights, which were previously denied to our people under the
apartheid laws. We commemorate human rights day to reinforce our commitment to the bill
of rights as enshrined in our constitution.

Furthermore, the government commemorates human rights day as a reminder of all those who
lost their lives against the struggle for our liberation and the freedom we enjoy today and to
remind future generations of their common history.
5 How commemoration of human rights contributes to nation building
Nation-building refers to the creation or development of a nation. Human rights day
contributes to nation-building in many different ways including social, economic and cultural
aspects.
Socially human rights day contributes by bringing people together under a shared experience
of a common history instead of divided or separate experience .for example groups of people
will come together at famous heritage sites to commemorate those who fought for our
freedom like the Sharpeville memorial site.
Economically it brings wealth into a community as people will pay a certain amount of
money to take part in an event that takes people to heritage sights where once again they will
experience history in unity rather than separately.

6 How the commemoration of human rights day are connected to the

constitution
The constitution is the highest law of the country which all other laws fall under, the
constitution includes the bill of rights which is a formal set of legal and civil rights of the
citizens of the country. Some of these rights include the right to freedom, the right to life, the
right to equality, etc. This links to the celebration of human rights day as the constitution
were put In place to protect the rights that were fought for all those years ago.

In conclusion we commemorate human rights day as it links us as a nation to the events of the
past that defines who we are today and the lessons and traditions we carry with us and pass
on to future generations. The importance of human rights day is also to remind us of whom
we are and where we come from and of the cost of the independence we all share.
Reference List

https://heritageperth.com.au/your-heritage/why-is-heritage-important-to-communties/
https://www.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/about-us/importance-of-heritage
https://www.sahistory,org.za/article/defining-culture-heritage-and-identity
https://heritagesa.org/wp/experts/our-shared-south-african-history/
https://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/sharpeville-massacre-21-march-1960
https://www.parliament.gov.za/project-event-details/2
https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/south-african-constitution-bill-rights
https://www.gov.za/huam-rights-day
https://www.gov.za/heritage-day