values promoting rights and responsibilities

The purpose of adopting positive, moral societal values is to build a culture of productive and responsible citizenship and leadership in our country. Having a specified set of values helps guide us with regard to our rights, privileges, and responsibilities.

 

3.1 Accessibility

All citizens should have equal access to services, products, facilities, devices, and appropriate environments. Such access should be beneficial to all. People with disabilities or special needs have, in particular, a right of access, enabling them to access the use of supportive technology, etc.

 

3.2. Accountability

This means being liable or answerable for one’s actions or behaviour, and giving account, where necessary. As an aspect of governance, it is the acknowledgement and assumption of responsibility for actions, products, and policies, and includes the obligation to report, explain, and be answerable for the consequences of one’s actions.

 

3.3. Citizenship

It is patriotism – serving the nation of South Africa with loyalty and dignity; promoting excellence in and for the nation; becoming the best one can be; being, and encouraging others to be, as upright, law-abiding, responsible, productive, and dynamic as we can.

 

3.4. Democracy

True democracy means all individuals possess the inalienable right to participate in the governance of their nation, and/or elect whomever they wish to said governance. It means leaders and ministers are accountable to the people, and all decisions and actions reflect the will of the people who elected them. In compliance with this Bill of Values it also means such elected governors are subject to the values as stated herein.

 

3.5. Education

The value of education places responsibility on both parents and children to ensure that children receive the best possible and most relevant education, including character training, mutual respect, and adherence to values. Regular attendance at Educational facilities should be promoted.

 

3.6. Equality

Every person is born equal and all are equal before the law. This means recognition of one another’s talents, abilities, and differences, and affording equal opportunities for all, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or ethnic background.

 

3.7. Freedom

Individual freedom within the rule of law is the basis of justice, fairness, nation building, and good governance. The following are prioritised: freedom of expression, association, movement, residence, belief, opinion, and religion. For instance:

 

3.7.1. Ethical Freedom of Conscience

The value of freedom of conscience requires freedom to choose beliefs and opinions, without fear or prejudice, and accord others the same.

 

3.7.2. Ethical Freedom of Expression

The value of freedom of expression entails freedom of individuals and entities (including the media and the press) to express beliefs and opinions, with the proviso that they are not prejudicial, hate-driven, insulting, or dishonest.

 

3.8. Human Rights

The protection and promotion of human worth across the spectrum of society means that one individual’s or entity’s rights are inalienable as expressed in the Constitution and may not be infringed upon in any capacity whatsoever, whether physical, spiritual, health-related, or legally with the proviso that such rights do not trespass upon that of another. This also means there is no discrimination based on sex, race, class, or other differences.

 

3.9. Justice

Justice means proper and legitimate use of power, equality before the law, equitable distribution of resources, equal opportunities, and meeting the rights and enforcing the obligations of all, irrespective of race, gender, class, belief system, or background. It includes recusal where conflict of interest may prompt injustice.

 

3.10. Non-partisanship

Any person or entity should always have the freedom to remain independent and/or not be associated/attached/affiliated to a specific party. This fundamental right should not just be protected but be encouraged in many instances, so as to avoid unnecessary division amongst our people.

 

3.11. Peace, Security, and Stability

When we all take responsibility for providing a peaceful and secure environment for all citizens, standing up against hurtful behaviour, bullying and intimidation, and resolving conflict in a peaceful manner, it builds a culture of peace-making, and helps ensure the safety and protection of us all.

 

3.12. Sanctity of Life

Sanctity of life means the protection of all human life from conception stage to death. This includes living a sexually moral, pure, and healthy lifestyle, to maintain life at its fullest and avoid preventable diseases.

 

3.13. Stewardship

This means care, custody, guardianship, watchfulness and vigilance towards our individual and shared national resources, and protection against damage, violation, and illicit possession.

 

3.14. Sustainable Environment

We all promote sustainable development, and the conservation and preservation of the natural environment, protect animal- and plant-life, prevent littering and pollution, and take responsibility for the protection of resources like water and electricity-generating facilities.

 

3.15. Work Ethic

This means working hard and doing our best in everything we do, nurturing our children in work ethics without translation to child labour, and increasing our productivity wherever possible.