Chapter 4

• Diversity


  Being different
• Aspects of diversity


  • Culture
  • Religion and belief system
  • Race
  • Language
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Health status
  • Place of birth
  • Where you stay
• Every person is unique with individual differences. We must respect these differences.
• To accept and honour diversity


  • Take pride in your own and other's cultures
  • Agree that we differ from each other
  • Respect others opinions, even if you disagree with them
  • Be willing to learn about the differences that define people
• Discrimination


  To treat people unfairly or a group of people differently from other people or groups of people. Discrimination denies people their rights, power and privileges.
• To discriminate is to violate human rights.
• Types of discrimination


  • Fair: discrimination to make up for the inequalities of the past
  • Unfair: goes against the constitution example: disabilities, gender, race, religious, sexual orientation, workplace, xenophobia
• Racism


  To treat somebody different because of their race
• Bias


  To give someone or a group unfair preference or favour them unfairly
• Prejudice


  Judging people on the basis of untruths and differences. To be prejudiced is to pre-judge without finding out the truth. Prejudice leads to negative attitudes and behaviour towards others and promotes discrimination. Prejudice also leads to stigma.
• Stigma


  Harmful attitudes and abuse towards others, based on misinformation and ignorance.
• Racism


  Prejudice or discrimination based on a person's race.
• Bias


  To influence in an unfair way, or to have preference that prevents you from looking at the facts.
• Oppression


  To be kept down by unjust use of force or authority. When you are oppressed you have no freedom or rights.
• Reasons for prejudice


  • Because people don't know the other person
  • Because people have political agendas
  • Because people fear the other they don't know
  • Because of hatred of diversity
  • Because of greed for money
  • Because they are power hungry
• Gender stereotyping


  To treat people differently because they are a male or female
• Religious discrimination


  To treat people differently because of their religion.
• Sexual Orientation


  To be prejudice against people with same sex relationships
• Discrimination in the workplace

  • If you get sexually harassed
  • If men gets a job because they are men and not because they are the best candidate
  • Men gets more money for the same job just because they are men
  • If you lose your job because you are too old
• Xenophobia


  Prejudice against foreign nationals, people from other countries.
• Impact of xenophobia on the community

  • Causes poverty and hardship
  • Disrupts communities; people are displaced, they lose their homes, possessions and shops
  • Harms communities, neighbours lose their trust in each other
  • Leads to poverty and insecurity
  • Leads to unemployment
  • Makes everybody feel unsafe
• Impact of xenophobia on people's emotions

  • Hurts peoples feelings
  • Makes people feel sad, lonely, and afraid
  • Promotes fear and hatred in people
  • Makes us feel ashamed of ourselves
• Impact of xenophobia on our country

  • Gives our country a bad image
  • Has a negative economic impact
  • Stops tourists from visiting SA
• Desmond Tutu worked hard to end apartheid, called us the Rainbow nation, and always fights for the oppressed.
• Nelson Mandela fought for the promotion of the Freedom Charter and is a role model for keeping values of democracy and equality.
• Walter Sisulu fought for the oppressed during apartheid.
• Beyers Naude was in favour of non-racial religious organisations that challenged the church and gave humanitarian help to people.
• South African Bill of Rights


  Lists our human rights that are protected in South Africa. These rights are based on: dignity, democracy, equality and freedom.
• Summary of the Bill of Rights

  • Equality
  • Human dignity
  • Life
  • Freedom and security
  • Slavery, servitude and forced labour
  • Privacy
  • Freedom of religion, belief and opinion
  • Freedom of expression
  • Freedom of assembly, picket and petition
  • Freedom of association
  • Political rights
  • Citizenship
  • Freedom of movement and residence
  • Freedom of trade, occupation and profession
  • Labour relations
  • Environment
  • Property
  • Health care, food, water and social security
• Responsibilities that come with rights

  • Treat others fairly and never discriminate against others
  • Treat other people with respect. Protect people's dignity. Be kind and caring.
  • Respect the right to life of other people. Live a healthy life and do not behave in any irresponsible way that may infect others with diseases.
  • Live according to the law so you stay out of jail. Respect other bodies; never force another person to have sex with you. Never bully or hurt others. Solve conflicts peacefully.
  • Never enslave another person or force somebody to work for you.
  • Do nothing that will make the state invade your privacy; do not get into criminal activities.
  • Respect the freedom of others to have any religion and beliefs they want. Show understanding, tolerance and consideration for other people's beliefs and religions.
  • Your opinion should not harm others. Do not spread or tell lies.
  • Hold orderly, peaceful demonstrations, marches and strikes
  • Avoid forming organisations that are against the constitution.
  • Vote in every election: provincial and national
  • Be a responsible and caring citizen. Obey the laws of the country.
  • Keep your passport updated.
  • Do your best at work. Avoid absenteeism and corruption.
  • Promote sustainable development so that the environment is protected for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Do not litter. Do not waste water and electricity.
  • Care for your property, and pay your rates and taxes.
  • Make healthy lifestyle choices; do not get pregnant if you can't afford to look after your child.
• Organisations that protect human rights in South Africa

  • The Public Protector
  • South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)
  • Commission on Gender Equality (CGE)
  • Office of the Auditor General (A-G)
  • Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
  • CEDAW
  • Constitutional Court
  • The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
• Organisations that protect human rights globally

  • The African Union or AU
  • The United Nations or UN
  • United Nations Children's fund (UNICEF)
• Human trafficking


  The global illegal transport of people across international and local borders. To be trafficked means to be taken against your will or tricked into going with traffickers or criminals who then sell you. You may be bought, sold and transported into slavery.
• Organisations that protect human rights in South Africa

  • Equality Courts
  • South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)
  • Treatment Action Campaign (TAC)
  • Commission on Gender Equality (CGE)