EDUCATION MEC Mandla Makupula has apologised for saying children have no rights.
The Daily Dispatch reported last month Makupula told hundreds of pupils they were not entitled to any rights. At the time the country was celebrating Human Rights Day on March21, and Makupula was addressing pupils at the Bhisho legislature. He said no child under 21 who depended on adults for food and shelter had rights. Makupula yesterday confirmed he met with the SA Human Rights Committee (HRC) and apologised for his comments. “I appeared before the commission to apologise and indeed, it was not my intention to say children were not entitled to their rights.”
Makupula said as a human rights activist who had been involved in the struggle, he understood the importance of human rights.
Spokesman Isaac Mangena said the HRC welcomed the apology.
It had written to the MEC “ recommending he apologise and unconditionally retract the statement” after the outcry it caused, he said, adding the MEC signed a statement saying he understood the offensive nature of his statements, that they undermined the rights of children, and were contrary to the Bill of Rights.
MEC sorry over rights blunder
The Daily Dispatch reported last month Makupula told hundreds of pupils they were not entitled to any rights. At the time the country was celebrating Human Rights Day on March21, and Makupula was addressing pupils at the Bhisho legislature. He said no child under 21 who depended on adults for food and shelter had rights. Makupula yesterday confirmed he met with the SA Human Rights Committee (HRC) and apologised for his comments. “I appeared before the commission to apologise and indeed, it was not my intention to say children were not entitled to their rights.”
Makupula said as a human rights activist who had been involved in the struggle, he understood the importance of human rights.
Spokesman Isaac Mangena said the HRC welcomed the apology.
It had written to the MEC “ recommending he apologise and unconditionally retract the statement” after the outcry it caused, he said, adding the MEC signed a statement saying he understood the offensive nature of his statements, that they undermined the rights of children, and were contrary to the Bill of Rights.
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