Your Chance to Suggest Ways to End Racism

PRETORIA – South Africans are being given the opportunity to make suggestions on how to end racism in the country. All you need to do is send an email before the end of the month.

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD) has called on locals to respond to the challenge of intolerance by making an input into the Draft National Action Plan (NAP).

The department’s call comes as South Africa marks World Refugee Day today.

The public can submit their comments for the Draft NAP to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerances before the 30 June 2016 deadline. The final document will then be submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Comments and inputs can be submitted via email to nap@justice.gov.za.

The Plan will provide the basis for a public policy against racial discrimination that will assist in giving effect to South Africa’s international human rights obligations.

It will also include a framework and strategies on steps to take with combatting racial discrimination  to give effect to the constitutional value of equality and non-discrimination.

Once finalised, the NAP will be valid for five years and renewed on an annual basis.

“The NAP is not intended to replace existing laws and policies but rather to be complimentary to the existing legislation, policies and framework, which address equality, equity and transformation,” the department said on Sunday.

The draft NAP has been available on the departmental website for public comment since 18 December 2015.

South Africa joins the world today in observing World Refugee Day, which is observed on 20 June annually to raise awareness of the challenges faced by refugees, which include discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerances.

South Africa is home to thousands of refugees and asylum seekers.

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba visited the Bienvenu Shelter in Johannesburg today, which caters for the basic needs of migrant women and children as well as refugees.