--- title: "Celebrating Human Rights day at Constitution Hill" description: "On Friday March 21, South Africans celebrate Human Rights Day, six decades after the Sharpeville massacre on the same day in 1960 ensured that this date would forever be part of democratic South Africa's heritage." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "PHOTO ESSAY" author: "Felix Dlangamandla" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/felix-dlangamandla/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-03-21-human-rights-photoessay/" published: "2025-03-21T12:50:52" updated: "2025-03-21T13:07:39" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 265 --- # Celebrating Human Rights day at Constitution Hill > On Friday March 21, South Africans celebrate Human Rights Day, six decades after the Sharpeville massacre on the same day in 1960 ensured that this date would forever be part of democratic South Africa's heritage. By Felix Dlangamandla · Published 21 March 2025, 14:50 SAST · Updated 21 March 2025, 15:07 SAST ## Key points - On Human Rights Day 2025, the rhythmic heartbeat of solidarity echoed through Constitutional Hill as a thousand drummers united, proving that when it comes to justice, sometimes it takes a village—and a whole lot of percussion—to make some noise. - Thousands gathered at Constitutional Hill on Human Rights Day 2025 for the "1000 Drums for Solidarity" event, promoting unity and justice. - Attendees engaged in vibrant discussions and performances, highlighting various human rights issues and global solidarity movements. - Notable moments included youth activism, with participants raising fists in solidarity and waving flags, symbolizing support for Palestine. - The event featured a display of 168 newspapers, emphasizing the importance of media in advocating for human rights and social change. ## Content ![Fathima Cajee walks through the chairs during the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitutional Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/MFVdSeQJcTZCzalygMybY5cogcI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20V4366.jpg) *Fathima Cajee walks through the chairs during the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitution Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![The 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitutional Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/9LLzvLJ0QqsaJ7C-Eff-RrHX5vM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20V4369-1.jpg) *The 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitution Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Drummers during the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitutional Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/dUhuKUJd-dXzc2Tsazs_jieUWkw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20V4374.jpg) *Drummers during the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitution Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![People interact during the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitutional Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/qfZCcH_EzvLletxhaly1BAoLbYc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20V4379.jpg) *People interact during the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitution Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Guest listen to panelists at the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitutional Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/WOnVtq1MPqWlWCR_GEQ_w4QZ3jc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20V4388.jpg) *Guests listen to panelists at the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitution Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Sue Majam waves a Palestine flag at the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitutional Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/qdQIAxEXO2atVDbwkOLaHoFHqDU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20V4399.jpg) *Sue Majam waves a Palestine flag at the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitution Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Guest listen to panelists at the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitutional Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/aFAMCont6cbHt4FDlLbQhHDbwFI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20V4415.jpg) *Guests listen to panelists at the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitution Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Visitors at the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitutional Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/RPkSDrNuPk4w_IrZ6SfbcrM9Jk8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20V4450.jpg) *Visitors at the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitution Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Sue Majam at the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitutional Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/p1A3UcADP6B6WPP3sejkGcCSd3k=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20V4452.jpg) *Sue Majam at the 1000 drums for solidarity on Human Rights day at Constitution Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Youth raising fists on a bridge on Human Rights day at Constitutional Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/HY5D0mPGOzQe_2TesrQ_VeI2CqI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20V4507.jpg) *Youth raising fists on a bridge on Human Rights day at Constitution Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![168 Newspapers displayed on Human Rights day at Constitutional Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/EzJLjcthyPQn6qmR1xMAMN8gCo8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20V4522.jpg) *DM 168 Newspapers displayed on Human Rights Day at Constitution Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![A solution session held by Jozi My Jozi on Human Rights day at Constitutional Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/OH6sYWigS80lNbXRtkOEt9iYgDU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20V4545.jpg) *A solution session held by Jozi My Jozi on Human Rights day at Constitution Hill on 21 March 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla).DM*