Human Rights Day 2012 (Public Holiday)

Remember the past and celebrate the future on Human Rights Day, but don’t forget to revel in the present – take advantage of your public holiday to enjoy Cape Town


Human Rights Day (Wednesday, March 21 2012), a public holiday that celebrates South Africans’ unique constitution giving equal rights to all, is certainly host to its fair share of historically significant events, but it’s also an opportunity to recover from the revelry of the proverbial public holiday night-before, and to take advantage of the playground that is Cape Town.

What follow is a list of Humans Rights Day events in Cape Town and surrounds for those who’ve left it to the last minute to mark something on the calendar.

Gearing up for a Human Rights Day Party

Labyrinth at Trinity
Trinity is the place to be for all things psychedelic. Amplify your heart rate to 150 bpm at the weekly psy-trance night, Labyrinth; it’s moved from its usual Wednesday slot to Tuesday.

Line up: 
The Commercial Hippies (Live) 
Super Evil (Live) 
Biorhythm (Live) 
Dean Fuel 
Connecto

Doors open at 22:00
Tickets: R50p/p at the door | R120 VIP at the door

WE Like BASS at Zula Bar
WE like BASS, a pop-up concept party raising funds for Afrikaburns 2012, will be taking over both the upstairs and downstairs section of Zula Bar for a huge night of low-frequency-booty-bouncing-beats.

Line up:
Fletcher ft. Theba, Zoro and Quite a White Ou 
Card on Spokes 
The Bankteller 
Step Up Soundsystem 
And others

Doors open at 21:00
Tickets: R40p/p

Tombstone Pete and Taxi Violence at Waiting Room
Enjoy an intimate acoustic show featuring great local music without the worry of tomorrow’s work day bogging you down. The venue is a great place to chill and boasts an awesome rooftop bar.

Doors open at 20:00
Tickets: R40p/p

The Scrapyard at The Assembly
For those of you looking for a little bit of ZEF cool, then Assembly is the place with a line-up that screams  ‘dude what happened last night?’.

Line up:
Jack Parow,Niskerone
DJ Ready D
Grimehouse
Leyton Lee
Lee Munati
Dubillvizion
DJ Sideshow
Contraband (VJs.) 

Doors open at 20:00
Tickets: R70p/p

Pretty Blue Guns at Mercury
In honour of Human Rights Day in Cape Town, Mercury will be playing host to the cream of the crop of South Africa’s bands. Joining the Pretty Blue Guns are two of the most influential and fresh acts to come out of the Mother City in the last couple of years - Machineri and Joshua Grierson.

Doors open at 21:00
Tickets: R40p/p

Ismaël Lô and Azania Ghetto Sound Band at the Cape Town City Hall

City Hall Sessions presents super irie Senegalese Ismaël Lô and our very own Azania Ghetto Sound Band for a night that’s not to be forgotten. More  event information and a taste of Ismaël Lô’s sound.

Doors open: 20:00
Tickets: R75p/p –R120p/p

The Real Old School Party at 169 on Long
Heart Radio’s Brandon Lee and Bush Radio’s Roger Lewis are going to be kicking it old school at 169 on Long; so if its R&B and house tunes you’re after this is where you want to be.

Doors open: 20:00
Tickets: R50

Health Conscious Human Rights Day Events

For those who’d rather forego the crush of a Tuesday night party, get a good night’s sleep and start your Human Rights Day with an event that’s good for the heart and the head.   

Cadiz Human Rights Day Swim
The Cadiz Human Rights Swim is a 2.5-km open sea swim which takes place in the brain numbing waters of Camps Bay. This Human Rights Day event raises funds every year for different organizations across Cape Town. This year’s beneficiary is Sisters Incorporated, a shelter for abused women and children.

Entry Fee: R100p/p
Race starts: 09:00

Asics Bains Trail Run
A trail run that offers runners a choice of a 7km or a 12km trail, each consisting of single-track that loops along vineyards, pristine fynbos and mountain streams. Both distances will traverse the slopes of Groenberg, with the 12km route going on to explore the lower areas of Bainskloof. Runners and supporters can stay on to enjoy the Wellington Harvest Festival and to indulge in good coffee, food and wine at Die Ou Meul coffee shop at Welvanpas. 

Entry fee: 12km -  R120p/p | 7km - R100p/p 

Be a part of something great by joining the CapeTownMagazine.com Facebook Fan Page.

For all events happening throughout Cape Town and surrounds in 2012, be sure to check out our Events Section.

For updates on happenings in and around Cape Town for kids, for you or for the whole family, be sure to subscribe to our free monthly Editor’s Picks Newsletter and follow us on Twitter.

Cape Town Events Calendar
December 2025
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31

visit knysna 5Knysna, but not the Knysna you think

Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of this Garden Route gem

Filini interiorFilini at Radisson Cape Town Foreshore

Tiramisu martinis, lasagne crocchetta and more

Drumstruck 2025 Cape Town’s top African drumming ...

A layered story of South Africa’s musical traditions

Table Mountain 2025 photoshopWhat locals don’t know about Table ...

Cape Town’s highest bar (no ticket needed), free tours + more

norval foundation 11Norval Foundation, the art museum with ...

Unmissable summer exhibitions, picnics amongst the sculptures, & more

mischu R99 brunch special Lunch at mischu: R99 special with ...

Avo & salsa on sourdough and cappuccino for R99, + try the viral crookie

PT2The hidden seaside bistro on the ...

Inventive small plates best explored with a wine pairing

Milk on the Beach 2025Reasons to visit this beach-side family ...

DIY waffles, loaded hotdogs, poke bowls, right on the beach

LMTF Mandela and WinnieMeet 100 bronze life-size figures at ...

From famous heroes like Mandela to forgotten ones like Autshumato

HintHunt AfricaGet over the midweek hump with a ...

Easy spot for team building, midweek date night, & more

Only Specials CaféThe café creating space for ...

It’s hidden in Hermanus. Here’s how to find it

visit knysna 5Knysna, but not the Knysna you think

Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of this Garden Route gem

Filini interiorFilini at Radisson Cape Town Foreshore

Tiramisu martinis, lasagne crocchetta and more

Drumstruck 2025 Cape Town’s top African drumming ...

A layered story of South Africa’s musical traditions

Table Mountain 2025 photoshopWhat locals don’t know about Table ...

Cape Town’s highest bar (no ticket needed), free tours + more

Spier 21 reasons 1Things to do at Spier Wine Farm in ...

Everything you never knew about Spier unpacked by us

DJazz nights at Dutchies by Grotto Beach

6pm to 8pm every last Friday of the month

norval foundation 11Norval Foundation, the art museum with ...

Unmissable summer exhibitions, picnics amongst the sculptures, & more

mischu R99 brunch special Lunch at mischu: R99 special with ...

Avo & salsa on sourdough and cappuccino for R99, + try the viral crookie

PT2The hidden seaside bistro on the ...

Inventive small plates best explored with a wine pairing

Milk on the Beach 2025Reasons to visit this beach-side family ...

DIY waffles, loaded hotdogs, poke bowls, right on the beach

LMTF Mandela and WinnieMeet 100 bronze life-size figures at ...

From famous heroes like Mandela to forgotten ones like Autshumato

HintHunt AfricaGet over the midweek hump with a ...

Easy spot for team building, midweek date night, & more

Only Specials CaféThe café creating space for ...

It’s hidden in Hermanus. Here’s how to find it

Killarney Cape Motorsport Festival 2025Killarney turns into Cape Town’s ...

Tickets for kids from R10! And you can bring your own food

Hidden Dragon Magic GardenA whimsical fairytale world made ...

Tiny towns, gnome gardens, a sleeping dragon & tours for R100

Hidden Giants 2025The captivating science-meets-music ...

Sold out 50 times in Gauteng with rave reviews. See why

visit knysna 5Knysna, but not the Knysna you think

Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of this Garden Route gem

cherry festival 1Everything you need to know about Ceres ...

Cherry products and picking, foam party & live music as the sun sets

saray baklavaSaray restaurant, an authentic Turkish ...

10 must-try dishes from kunafa to the sizzling sote

!Khwa ttu Museum!Khwa ttu, the world’s first heritage ...

Immersive exhibitions, food tours, tea tasting & more

Xplore Tours CT Elephant Sanctuary 3Experience The Garden Route Like Never ...

Walk with giants, befriend an ostrich, brave the highest bungee and climb the ...

GiveawaysTravel Tips