In Conversation With Brett Heron- Unite for Change leadership council member and GOOD Secretary General
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As South Africa reflects on Human Rights Day, commemorating the legacy of the Sharpeville Massacre and protests in Langa, organisations are calling for a renewed focus on whether constitutional rights are truly being realised.
Unite for Change argues that while South Africa’s Constitution is among the most progressive globally, the lived reality for many citizens tells a different story. The organisation says the real battleground for human rights today is at a local government level, where access to basic services determines whether dignity is upheld or denied.
According to the organisation, ongoing challenges in municipalities — including unreliable water supply, electricity disruptions, poor sanitation, and failing infrastructure — are not just governance failures, but violations of fundamental human rights.
Beyond service delivery, Unite for Change highlights unemployment as one of the most significant threats to human dignity, arguing that economic exclusion limits people’s ability to live with independence and self-worth.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Local Government Elections, the organisation is positioning itself as an advocate for accountable governance, ethical leadership, and functional municipalities. It emphasises the need for economic growth, reduced bureaucracy, and infrastructure investment as key to restoring dignity and opportunity.
Unite for Change argues that while South Africa’s Constitution is among the most progressive globally, the lived reality for many citizens tells a different story. The organisation says the real battleground for human rights today is at a local government level, where access to basic services determines whether dignity is upheld or denied.
According to the organisation, ongoing challenges in municipalities — including unreliable water supply, electricity disruptions, poor sanitation, and failing infrastructure — are not just governance failures, but violations of fundamental human rights.
Beyond service delivery, Unite for Change highlights unemployment as one of the most significant threats to human dignity, arguing that economic exclusion limits people’s ability to live with independence and self-worth.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Local Government Elections, the organisation is positioning itself as an advocate for accountable governance, ethical leadership, and functional municipalities. It emphasises the need for economic growth, reduced bureaucracy, and infrastructure investment as key to restoring dignity and opportunity.
