Colour Bombs and Political Opinions Fly at We Are One Colour Festival 2014

*This is a story I wrote that got uploaded to Live Mag.co.za on 26 March 2014. Photos by Adriaan Geldenhuys.

We Are One 2014 took place on Human Rights Day in Cape Town and in Emmarantia Dam, Joburg the following day. As usual it was packed with thousands of party animals gyrating to mainly house grooves churned out by the DJs. Most people stuck to the all-white theme but after thrashing each other with the multi-coloured, non-toxic powder for a couple of hours, the dress code looked more like colour blocking. In between the powder throwing mayhem, Live Mag SA asked some of the revelers and DJs backstage questions related to Human Rights.

Mlungi Mlotshwa/@LungiMlotshwa

Do you know why 21 March was Human Rights Day?

To celebrate the rights we have today as young people that our parents didn’t have, like living in the suburbs and working at the places we work now.

Do you think gay rights are protected in SA and Africa?

Locally gay rights are protected, it’s not a taboo anymore and everyone is coming out the closet even high school kids. But sadly I can’t say the same about other African countries.

*Commando

Do you know why we have Human Rights Day?

Something to do with independence of the Human Rights…Aargh f**k knows broer, I’m actually Zimbabwean but I think it has something to do with Apartheid f**king off.

Do you think the Zimbabwean government respects Human Rights?

Ja, for the right amount.

DJ Vinni Da Vinci/ @VinnyDaVinci

Do you know why 21 March was Human Rights Day?

It dates back to the 1960s Sharpeville Massacre and we celebrate Human Rights Day to commemorate the victims.

Do you think the government or police respect Human Rights?

Not the police, they’re supposed to be protecting us yet, the stuff we see them doing to us on the media everyday states otherwise…

DJ Felix Da House Cat/ @TheeRealFDHC

Do you think America respects Human Rights?

Our government doesn’t respect our right to privacy because they are constantly spying on us on social networks and watching us secretly.

Do you think a white person could be elected as South African president?

My parents went through a whole lot of shit in America’s Civil Right movements, but I’m not a political cat, I’m beyond the colour barrier and feel a president should be elected by how he do da job.