The suppression of people’s rights in the novel: Mme a Nndwa Dzoṱhe

Human rights are the rights that every person has, irrespective of the specifics of the individual, but by virtue of their humanity. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) is the supreme law of the country. The Constitution, under the Bill of Rights, provides for the rights of all citizens of the country. Despite this legal framework, some citizens remain unaware or ignorant of their rights. This article investigates the suppression of people's rights in the novel Mme a Nndwa Dzoṱhe, a literary text chosen for its powerful portrayal of human rights issues. A document analysis method was employed to collect qualitative data from the novel. The researcher applied a thematic analysis approach, identifying patterns that reflect the suppression of people’s rights. The study is grounded in the theory of Justice developed by American political philosopher John Rawls in 1971. Rawls argues that in the public political culture of a democratic society, citizens should be free and equal, and society should be a fair system of cooperation. This study aims to highlight the urgent need for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to initiate educational campaigns to educate citizens about their human rights, especially in rural Black communities with lower literacy levels. These campaigns—through workshops, community outreach programs, and educational materials in native languages—could significantly improve under-standing and respect for human rights. The impact could be even more profound if such education is delivered through storytelling.