Chapter 5

• Diversity

  Diversity means being different. It refers to the difference or variety of many aspects of being human, such as:

  • Culture
  • Religion
  • Race
  • Language
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Health status
  • Place of birth
  • Where you live
• What is it to accept and honour diversity?

  • Take pride in your own and others' culture
  • Agree that everyone does not have to be the same, look, or think alike
  • Respect others' opinions, even if you do not agree with them
  • Understand, tolerate and respect different views and experiences
  • Be willing to learn, work and live together in peace with diverse people
• What is Ubuntu?

  Ubuntu promotes respect for diversity. It is an African philosophy that is based on:

  • Care and understanding
  • Our connectedness to each other
  • Our shared humanity
  • The desire to understand and respect each other
• Discrimination

  Discrimination means to treat people unfairly and differently. To discriminate is to violate others' human right, for instance discriminating against:

  • HIV and AIDS infected people
  • Albinism
  • The young and the old
  • People with tuberculosis (TB)
  • Living in rural or urban areas
  • Belonging in different cultural groups
• Human rights and violations

  Human rights are rules to help everybody live together in peace and safety. If they are not followed, it is known as a violation or abuse of human rights.
• The South African Bill of Rights

  The South African Bill of Rights lists the rights that are protected in South Africa based on:

  • Dignity
  • Democracy
  • Equality
  • Freedom
• What are national and international instruments to opposing discrimination and violation of human rights?

  • Freedom of expression.
  • Right to equality.
  • Right to life.
  • Right to education.
  • Freedom from slavery.
  • Access to information.
• Protection agencies 


  • International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies