As the country commemorates the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution, citizens are encouraged to take part in conversations around social cohesion, anti-xenophobia, tribalism and racism aimed at building the nation.

During a webinar on Tuesday, South Africans were urged to have these valuable discussions in order to understand what is needed to achieve building a united nation.

The webinar on Social Cohesion, Anti-Xenophobia, Tribalism and Racism was hosted by Government Communication and Information Systems, in partnership with the Departments of Sport, Arts and Culture; Justice and Constitutional Development and the Institute of Race Relations.

It aimed to communicate the importance of social cohesion and nation building in diverse communities, as well as highlight the root cause of social intolerance and possible solutions.

In fostering SA’s social cohesion, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has initiated the Social Cohesion Advocates programme aimed at mobilising society in its entirety to work together to build a caring society based on shared values.

The department’s Edwin Cleophas said the programme’s vision is informed by advancing constitutional democracy, human rights and equality, promoting non-racialism, non-tribalism, Ubuntu and social solidarity.

“The Social Cohesion Advocates help us to feel that we belong in South Africa, make us feel proud of our country and increase our sense of identity and shared humanity, trust and respect for one another. [They] build respect and diversity. [They] help us to create a society in which everyone is valued, as enshrined in our Constitution,” Cleophas said.

Where there is a high level of social cohesion, Cleophas said, people help those who are marginalised and they care for one another.

“By working towards social cohesion, everyone living in SA benefits from that, and we are stronger working together, growing a strong healthy nation in which everyone can prosper. Each of us has a role to play as a powerful force in setting SA on a different path.”

The Social Cohesion Advocates have been hard at work, especially in areas where there are disruptions.

Cleophas said during the July unrest, the advocates were sent out to start building social cohesion among communities at the grassroots. They also assisted in quelling tensions in Phoenix by setting up dialogues and meetings with community leaders in order to deescalate tensions and find common ground to move past the struggles that took place there.

Weighing in on racism, Cleophas said many still struggle with it on a daily basis, whether it is structural, physically or mental oppression.

“Unless we undo the past patterns and institutional systemic negative enforcements that were left behind by apartheid, we won’t get anywhere. We have to firstly deal with the dark negative past, undo all of those and we can continue building the nation,” he said.

He said the rewards of what social cohesion advocates are doing have been more significant, as communities are more positive. He noted that economic empowerment is also taking place.

National Action Plan (NAP) to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

Despite collaborative efforts to implement the National Action Plan, as mandated by Cabinet, the country continues to experience high levels of discrimination based on race, nationality, social, ethnic origin, culture, sexual orientation and gender.

“We have noted that one of the challenges in implementation of the NAP is the lack of coordination amongst departments and other agencies involved.

“When looking at the progress in a nutshell, I want to mention that the NAP is closely aligned to government’s Medium-Term Strategic Framework, in particular, priority of social cohesion and safer communities, which gives expression to Chapter 15 of the NDP [National Development Plan] 2030,” said Ntibidi Rampete from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development while giving a progress report on the NAP.

Rampete said the department has been able to make significant progress in regards to some of the areas of the NAP, starting with progress in the Integrated Government Strategy on Public Education pertaining to anti-discrimination, which was finalised in March this year.

“The directory of service providers was also finalised. It is aimed at providing assistance to victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, homophobia and related intolerances.

“We also managed to complete a baseline study to determine the levels of racism, xenophobia, discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, racial incidents, inter-racial relations and perceptions of national identity. We plan to launch this study as part of the build-up activities towards the commemoration of… the Anti-Racism Week in March 2022.”

All government departments are responsible for promoting and implementing the NAP, together with other institutions and agencies.

On recommendations to improve, Rampete said there needs to be greater public awareness about discrimination faced by certain groups.

“We observed that there is a low level of trust in the police due to a number of historical reasons in SA. Vulnerable groups have had unpleasant encounters with the police force.”

Rampete said there is a need to improve the relationship between the police and society.

“Law enforcement officers need to undergo dignity and diversity training, or enhance the current training that is provided to promote compliance with the existing legislation framework and improve attitudes towards vulnerable groups.”

Source: South African Government News Agency