By ANDREA HOUSTON , EXAMINER STAFF WRITER

As the frigid wind whipped through Confederation Square last night, the small group of activists crowded around a candle and joined in as a local family sang a South African freedom song to mark International Human Rights Day.

The song, calledThula Sizwe, is a prayer sung during South Africa’s apartheid, said New Canadian Centre’s Fezi Mauncho.

“This is about more than hope,” she said. “Just being here we are using our voices to speak as one.”

Although some didn’t know the words, about 25 people joined her in the song. Others kept the beat by playing maracas.

As Mauncho sang, her nine-year- old daughter Mphilo Mauncho declared her prayers for the future.

“Speak up against injustice. Your voice counts,” she said. “God, no more slavery. Please say no to racism. No more discrimination. No oppression. No more poverty. Lord, let there be liberty.”

The event marks the 61st anniversary of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Daphne Ingram of Amnesty International, who organized the event, said the candlelight vigil is a reminder to the community that there’s many people in the world whose human rights are still not recognized.

“This is a time to get together and remember there is still work to be done,” she said. “We still need to work on human rights for all.

“Even in Canada, there are many people who are not recognized and living in poverty, like some First Nation communities, and women are still being abused.”

ahouston@peterboroughexaminer.com

http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2217366

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