Human rights issues – from the salary disparities between men and women to massacres in Iraq – were aired when Lead SA handed its official Twitter account over to Constitution Hill for a day.

On Human Rights Day, 21 March, Constitution Hill took over Lead SA’s Twitter account as part of the organisation’s “Living the Constitution” campaign, aimed at showcasing aspects of South Africa’s much-admired Constitution.

The campaign is also aimed at highlighting the work of civil society organisations in promoting the rights and values enshrined in the Constitution.

Constitution Hill’s takeover of Lead SA’s Twitter account followed on from similar day-long takeovers by social justice organisations Section 27 and the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, and the Anti-Racism Network of South Africa.

Human Rights Day marks one of South Africa’s greatest tragedies – the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, during which 69 people were killed when police opened fire on people protesting against laws requiring black people to carry documents allowing them passage in “white areas”.

“The Human Rights Day Twitter takeover campaign was a resounding success,” says Lead SA project coordinator Dianne McAlpine. “Through the project, Lead SA was not only able to engage with new audiences, but encouraged conversations about our rights in our democracy on our platforms. The work that our partner organisations carry out on a daily basis to enforce these rights is tremendous and we are encouraged by their resilience and dedication."