President Cyril Ramaphosa says the National Day of Reconciliation is dedicated to healing historical wounds and forging new futures.
“Reconciliation Day is about advancing reconciliation, justice and nation-building. It promotes social cohesion and healing,” President Ramaphosa said on Monday.
The President was addressing the National Day of Reconciliation commemoration event held at the Vredendal North Sports Ground, in the Western Cape.
“We cannot heal these historical wounds by forgetting our past. There are things that should be done to heal the wounds of the past.”
He added that for some, the National Day of Reconciliation is a celebration of victory.
“For others, it was a painful reminder of conquest and dispossession. Since the advent of democracy, we have sought to do away with symbols that are divisive. We chose to mark the 16th of December as a Day of Reconciliation. A celebration of our unity in diversity.”
The first citizen also paid tribute to Vrendendal.
“This Valley of Peace is blessed with fertile land. It is a farming area. Many of its inhabitants are farmworkers. As we work to reduce unemployment, we see the value of agriculture and land reform in growing our economy and creating jobs for our people.
“We know that history has no blank pages. Under the inhumane apartheid system farmworkers bore the brunt of exploitation. White commercial farms were built on the labour of slaves and South Africa’s indigenous people,” the President said.
Since the advent of democracy 30 years ago, government has driven a series of legislative changes to advance the rights of farmworkers.
This includes passing a law to prevent the arbitrary eviction of families living on farms.
“And yet we know that farmworkers and labour tenants are still being evicted in a number of places without being afforded alternate accommodation,” said the President while also calling on all employers to treat people humanely and ensure that they have decent accommodation.
“We insist that all should ensure that the law is uphold and the rights of all people are protected. The working conditions of farmworkers are regulated by the Labour Relations Act.”
The theme for the 2024 edition of the National Day of Reconciliation is: "Healing Historical Wounds and Forging New Futures".
READ | Western Cape residents reflect on Reconciliation Day
Reconciliation Day is a public holiday in South Africa held annually on 16 December and it came into effect in 1995 after the end of apartheid, intending to foster reconciliation and national unity for the country.
Vredendal resident, Ntsika Madela told SAnews that it was time to focus on healing and building a better South Africa.
“We come from a painful past, where we were oppressed and treated like outcasts, but now we have democracy. We must forgive all those who were our oppressors,” Madela said. -SAnews.gov.za
