TERM 2: SECTION 4: ISSUES RELATING TO CITIZENS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
UNIT 1: RESPECT FOR OTHERS’ RIGHTS
How do we show respect for others’ rights?
1. Everyone is accountable:
- This means that everyone is responsible for their actions
- You should be accountable for your actions
- Treat people around you in the way that shows them that they value as human beings.
- Do not do anything that harms others or violates their rights
2. We need to protect the rights of all
- Everyone, regardless of who they are, needs to have their rights protected.
- Some people have certain impairments (injuries) or impediments (disabilities)
- They maybe be physically or mentally disabled, orphaned or poverty stricken.
- Elderly are at risk because they are taken advantage of and are often too weak and vulnerable to
take care of themselves.
3. Help those whose rights are be abused
- If you know someone whose rights are being abused, help them to stop the abuse.
- Speak to the person about the right that is being abused.
- If it is serious, police intervention may be needed.
- There are a number of different professions that help people in these situations.
- Social workers, psychologists, audiologists, etc.
People living with different disabilities:
There are many types of disabilities:
- Some people have physical disabilities – they have a physical impairment and may have difficulty
using their limbs, fingers or toes.
- Sensory impediments are disabilities that affect your sense – vision impairments, hearing
disability, speech impediments.
- Some people have intellectual disabilities. - Learning disorders
- Some people are born with disabilities, with others develop over time, or as a result of an
accident or illness.
- To respect people with disabilities, you need to treat them fairly and with respect.
People infected and affected by HIV & aids
South Africa has a higher number of people living with HIV than any other country. Because infection
rates are so high, it means that ALL South Africans are affected by HIV. Some people may have a
family member who is HIV positive.
- Many people are bringing up siblings, grandchildren or nieces and nephews whose parents have
died from an AIDS-related illness
Other ways in which we are all affected by HIV and AIDS include the following:
- workplace: workers have to take time off to receive care themselves, or to provide terminal care
for family members
- Future business people, workers and leaders are affected as experienced people are lost to the
illness.
- More than 10% of children in SA are orphaned – of the 3, 7 million orphans, almost half have lost
both parents to AIDS.
- Medical services are affected: many beds are occupied for long periods of time due to conditions
related to the disease. They stay longer in hospital, making the beds unavailable for other
patients suffering from other illnesses.
, UNIT 2: CELEBRATIONS OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL DAYS AND PLANNING AND
PARTICIPATING IN A LOCAL CELEBRATION:
National days are a way of nation building. Nation building takes place when everyone works
together to create a feeling of belonging to a nation and to build a better country. Many of our
national days are public holidays. People often take part in marches or –get-togethers as a way of
uniting to celebrate or raise awareness. Others use this opportunity to work in their community as a
way to show responsibility and their commitment to upholding human rights.
UNIT 1: RESPECT FOR OTHERS’ RIGHTS
How do we show respect for others’ rights?
1. Everyone is accountable:
- This means that everyone is responsible for their actions
- You should be accountable for your actions
- Treat people around you in the way that shows them that they value as human beings.
- Do not do anything that harms others or violates their rights
2. We need to protect the rights of all
- Everyone, regardless of who they are, needs to have their rights protected.
- Some people have certain impairments (injuries) or impediments (disabilities)
- They maybe be physically or mentally disabled, orphaned or poverty stricken.
- Elderly are at risk because they are taken advantage of and are often too weak and vulnerable to
take care of themselves.
3. Help those whose rights are be abused
- If you know someone whose rights are being abused, help them to stop the abuse.
- Speak to the person about the right that is being abused.
- If it is serious, police intervention may be needed.
- There are a number of different professions that help people in these situations.
- Social workers, psychologists, audiologists, etc.
People living with different disabilities:
There are many types of disabilities:
- Some people have physical disabilities – they have a physical impairment and may have difficulty
using their limbs, fingers or toes.
- Sensory impediments are disabilities that affect your sense – vision impairments, hearing
disability, speech impediments.
- Some people have intellectual disabilities. - Learning disorders
- Some people are born with disabilities, with others develop over time, or as a result of an
accident or illness.
- To respect people with disabilities, you need to treat them fairly and with respect.
People infected and affected by HIV & aids
South Africa has a higher number of people living with HIV than any other country. Because infection
rates are so high, it means that ALL South Africans are affected by HIV. Some people may have a
family member who is HIV positive.
- Many people are bringing up siblings, grandchildren or nieces and nephews whose parents have
died from an AIDS-related illness
Other ways in which we are all affected by HIV and AIDS include the following:
- workplace: workers have to take time off to receive care themselves, or to provide terminal care
for family members
- Future business people, workers and leaders are affected as experienced people are lost to the
illness.
- More than 10% of children in SA are orphaned – of the 3, 7 million orphans, almost half have lost
both parents to AIDS.
- Medical services are affected: many beds are occupied for long periods of time due to conditions
related to the disease. They stay longer in hospital, making the beds unavailable for other
patients suffering from other illnesses.
, UNIT 2: CELEBRATIONS OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL DAYS AND PLANNING AND
PARTICIPATING IN A LOCAL CELEBRATION:
National days are a way of nation building. Nation building takes place when everyone works
together to create a feeling of belonging to a nation and to build a better country. Many of our
national days are public holidays. People often take part in marches or –get-togethers as a way of
uniting to celebrate or raise awareness. Others use this opportunity to work in their community as a
way to show responsibility and their commitment to upholding human rights.
