CGF ARTICLES, OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

Opening and closing address for MDG Review Summit & Exhibition 2012 (2012-05-03)

February 19, 2015  3303  3303   

We extend to you our warm South African greetings, and trust that you will find this Summit to be an enlightening one; and one that provides more answers than questions and more particularly the manner in which 191 heads of states, and the private sector have collaborated to address the Millennium Development Goals, and for which we committed to achieve by 2015.

I am reminded of the adage that “with great power comes responsibility” and with great responsibility we must be willing to be held accountable when we fail to deliver in areas that affect the basic human rights and the dignity of people.  South Africa is known to have one of the most progressive Constitutions world-wide, and whilst it promises so much to its people, regrettably millions still do not feel the relief it advocates.  Similarly, this situation is found in many other parts of the world. 

For this reason -- amongst others -- the MDGs are a commitment by many countries and their leaders that promises her people a better life.  Drawing from South Africa’s Constitution -- Chapter Two -- in our Bill of Rights it states that our people -- should have, amongst other, the right to LIFE and:

• the right to equality before the law
• the right to freedom from discrimination
• the right to human dignity
• the right to freedom from slavery, servitude or forced labour
• the right to privacy
• the right to freedom of speech and expression
• the right to education
• the right to a healthy environment, and for it to be protected
• the right to property and housing
• the right to food, water, health care and social assistance

And for our children, they are promised the right of parental care and the right to a basic standard of living, the right to be protected from maltreatment and abuse, the protection from inappropriate child labour, and the right not to be detained.