Formulated in February 2011, the purpose of the BOR is to create awareness that each citizen has responsibilities that they should adhere to in order for every South African to fully enjoy the rights afforded to them. The Department of Basic Education has included the BOR in learners' Life Orientation workbooks, a subject that all learners take from primary school right through to matric. The BOR has also been translated into several other languages.
"This is a great achievement for South Africa as it teaches children about the importance of values and also about our country's Constitution," said Lead SA's Terry Volkwyn. The Department of Basic Education deputy director-general, Gugu Ndebele, shared this enthusiasm. "Our partnership with Lead SA has been instrumental in catapulting the BOR into the public sphere while promoting it among learners and teachers," said Ndebele.
Volkwyn added that education would remain a priority of Lead SA. "We appeal to South Africans to continue spreading the BOR message. At the same time religious leaders and civic society at large need to embrace it. It must become the responsibility of each and every citizen. We need to create an active civic society."
Moegsien Williams, editor of The Star, which is part of the Lead SA initiative with Primedia Broadcasting said it was heartening to see that the BOR was starting to make an impact. "We also have the Primary Matters insert in our newspapers, which is aimed at spreading the message, while assisting learners with study material. The BOR is an important tool to create a better South Africa and to strengthen our ethics, behaviours and outlooks."
To download a copy of the Bill of Responsibilities, go to www.leadsa.co.za.
