Johannesburg: As we bask in the holiday spirit and festive cheer, our collective reflection at the sunset of 2025 should also acknowledge how far democratic South Africa has come.

According to South African Government News Agency, while spending time with family and loved ones is a hallmark of the December break, it is also a time at which the country commemorates Reconciliation Month, which includes Reconciliation Day. Today, the nation marks National Reconciliation Day to promote social cohesion, healing, unity, and nation-building.

Commemorated since December 1995, Reconciliation Day and Reconciliation Month aim to promote reconciliation and national unity. Although the terms ‘nation-building’ and ‘social cohesion’ form part of our everyday vocabulary, they are more likely to be used at this time of the year when the country reflects on its painful apartheid past. December is also the month that saw the country’s first democratically elected President, Nelson Mandela, sign the Constitution of the Republ
ic of South Africa into law on 10 December 1996.

In an interview with SAnews, Dr. Yacoob Abba Omar, an expert on national identity and sovereignty, explained that nation-building imagines South Africa at a grand level, trying to develop a national identity. According to Omar, the Constitution, the national anthem, sports teams, and heraldry are part of building the nation. He described social cohesion as an individual’s day-to-day experiences of other people at both the community and national levels.

Omar added that South Africa’s social cohesion efforts are somewhat of a mixed bag. While the country remains unified, challenges such as inequality persist. He noted that while some believe social cohesion cannot be achieved due to deep inequalities, there remains a shared ‘South African-ness.’

The issue of apology for past atrocities remains a topic of discussion. Commissioner Omar highlighted the need for transformative apology and acknowledged the progress made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (T
RC), although more needs to be done. Recently, the government announced the reopening of inquests into the deaths of prominent anti-apartheid activists, emphasizing the importance of closure for families and culture.

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, stressed that reconciliation is a responsibility every South African must take on. The National Dialogue process has been initiated to encourage citizens to lead an inclusive dialogue on the country’s challenges. The National Planning Commission (NPC) continues to emphasize the importance of nation-building and social cohesion in the country’s development.

The NPC has expressed concern about the insufficient progress made in achieving social cohesion and nation building. Omar stated that while services like health and education have improved, the quality needs enhancement. Nation-building is an ongoing process that continually redefines itself, uniting South Africans to face challenges and build a better future.