President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that “enough is enough” on gender-based violence, saying violence against women will not be part of the inheritance left to future generations.
Ramaphosa made the remarks during the national Heritage Day celebrations at Bongolethu Sport Stadium in Oudtshoorn on Thursday. The event is being held under the theme “Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us.”
“Today, however, let us make a simple declaration that violence against women will not be part of the inheritance we leave to the next generation of South Africans. That enough is enough, and we must bring gender-based violence to an end, as South Africans working together,” Ramaphosa said.
He said he would address the nation in the coming days on his plan to combat gender-based violence.
Ramaphosa also said he would address the nation on the investigation into the killings of women in Ekurhuleni.
Nine women have been found dead in the broader Ekurhuleni area since July, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The cases have not been officially confirmed as being linked.
Ramaphosa said the abuse, rape and killing of women could not be considered part of South Africa’s heritage.
“The pain and suffering that the women of South Africa have been put through stands out as a national shame. I am ashamed of what we men are doing to the women of South Africa,” he said.
He said women had the right to walk the streets without fear of being attacked, raped or killed.
The president also used the Heritage Day address to speak about land restitution, saying government was continuing efforts to return land to people who were dispossessed.
“We are making all efforts to make sure that those who were dispossessed of their land should get their land back, and we will continue doing it on an ongoing basis,” he said.
Ramaphosa said democracy was also part of South Africa’s heritage, including citizens’ rights to practise their cultures and religions and to speak and be taught in their own languages.
He called on South Africans to reject tribalism and embrace non-racialism, equality before the law and a common national identity.
“We must kill the demon of tribalism, and to a large extent we have done that. And we have become the new South African nation. We must celebrate that. That is our heritage,” he said.
He also challenged South Africans to consider whether they were building a country where talent mattered more than connections and where public office was treated as a responsibility rather than a route to personal enrichment.
Ramaphosa said South Africa’s heritage included its history of resistance, its diversity and its decision to build one country and one nation despite generations of division.
He said South Africans must remember slavery, colonialism, apartheid and forced removals.
“Yes, forgive we shall, but we must never forget,” he said.
Ramaphosa also paid tribute to Khoi and San ancestors, traditional practitioners, storytellers, musicians, healers and craftspeople who preserve the country’s living heritage.
He said heritage languages must be practised and passed on to younger generations.
“A heritage that is not passed on from one generation to another eventually ceases to be a living heritage,” he said.
The president also took a swipe at Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie during the address, joking about his traditional attire and saying McKenzie was “masquerading” as a chief.
McKenzie is among the officials attending the national Heritage Day celebration in Oudtshoorn.
