Ramaphosa: No SA tradition promotes xenophobia or gender violence

No South African culture supports violence against women, children and foreigners, or attempts to create divisions among the country’s diverse groups, said President Cyril Ramaphosa in a Heritage Day address in Upington, Northern Cape, on Tuesday 24 September.

“Over the past few weeks South Africa has had to confront acts of violence, acts of violence that have been borne out of a frustration and intolerance that has damaged our sense of solidarity and social cohesion,” said the President.

“Let us use the events of the past few weeks to affirm that amidst the great diversity of our society we are united by the values of dignity, respect and equality.”

Ramaphosa emphasised the need to pursue unity in diversity and challenged the perception that South Africa is a xenophobic country that is also unsafe for women. Fallout from multi-faceted violence in recent weeks saw him cancel a trip to the UN General Assembly and send envoys to calm waters in seven African nations.

“In the end there is nothing in any of our traditions, in any of our cultures, that supports that we must take action against one another, that supports that we must be violent against one another. There is nothing in our makeup as a people that allows the abuse of women and children, that allows men to want to rape young girls and women,” said Ramaphosa.

“So, all these things of the killing of women and the raping of children is foreign to our makeup as a nation and that is why we must get rid of it. There is nothing in our makeup that promotes racism. There is nothing in our makeup that promotes tribalism or any form of intolerance,” he continued.

Recently released 2018-19 crime statistics saw an increase in all contact crimes, with sexual offences jumping 4.6% in a year. Following widespread protests urging different sectors of society to take action, Ramaphosa recently announced an “emergency action plan” to combat the scourge of gender-based violence.

“Much as we may have challenges or difficulties of poverty, unemployment and inequality, those should never make us want to raise our hands against people from other nations,” added Ramaphosa.

The president has been trying to restore South Africa’s image following the latest round of attacks on foreigners and their properties, which descended into sporadic mob attacks in Gauteng, leaving 12 people dead, including 10 South Africans.

Ramaphosa continued his fair but tough approach on Tuesday. He said nothing justified attacking foreigners but migrants living in South Africa must respect the country’s laws.

Opposition DA leader Mmusi Maimane also addressed current divisions while speaking outside former president Nelson Mandela’s Soweto home on Heritage Day.

Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane on July 31, 2018 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Deaan Vivier)