Nquthu: President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to reaffirm their commitment to reconciliation, unity, and nation-building, emphasizing that the country’s democratic foundation was established by choosing healing over vengeance.

According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address at the national commemoration of the Day of Reconciliation at the Ncome Museum in Nquthu. He highlighted the significance of December 16 as a powerful moment for the nation to confront its painful past honestly while committing to a shared and peaceful future. The commemoration, under the theme ‘Reaffirming Reconciliation for Future Generations’, was led by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government.

President Ramaphosa reflected on the historical Battle of Ncome in 1838, where many Zulu warriors lost their lives defending their land, symbolizing the complexity of South Africa’s shared history. He stated that commemorating December 16 allows South Africans to confront their past with honesty, acknowledge the complexities of their shared history, and commit to building a peaceful future together.

Recalling historical events marked by brutal repression against black South Africans, including Sharpeville, Langa, and Boipatong, the President noted that despite centuries of dispossession and oppression, South Africans chose reconciliation at the dawn of democracy. He quoted former President Nelson Mandela, emphasizing the choice to build and reconcile rather than sow division.

President Ramaphosa stressed that reconciliation remains an ongoing process, as issues like poverty, inequality, crime, corruption, and gender-based violence continue to undermine social cohesion. He urged the nation to pursue inclusive economic growth and job creation, reduce poverty, and lower the cost of living to achieve true reconciliation. Additionally, he called on men to play a decisive role in ending violence against women and children, urging them to protect the most vulnerable in society.

In concluding his address, President Ramaphosa encouraged South Africans to use the festive season to reconcile within families and communities, noting that healthy families form the foundation of a healthy nation.