SOUTH AFRICA — President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a definitive call for South Africa to actively defend its constitutional values, urging citizens to reject gender-based violence, xenophobia, and racial division while embracing the unity forged during the nation’s democratic transition.
Reflecting on the recent Heritage Day celebrations in his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa highlighted that the country’s diverse languages, traditions, and cultures are a direct result of a democratic government committed to acknowledging past injustices. However, he stressed that this heritage requires active protection, not just passive celebration, and must be anchored in non-racialism, non-sexism, equality, democracy, and human dignity.
A significant portion of the address focused on the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence. Ramaphosa described the abuse, rape, and killing of women as a profound “stain on our national conscience.” He argued that the nation cannot genuinely claim to be founded on freedom and human dignity while half the population lives in fear. Furthermore, he noted that the public humiliation of women reinforces the discriminatory attitudes that sustain this violence, emphasizing that freedom of expression carries the responsibility not to cause harm or degrade others.
Addressing social tensions surrounding foreign nationals, the President reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to African unity, acknowledging the moral and material support the continent provided during the liberation struggle. Nevertheless, he drew a firm line on legality, stating that migration must occur within the legal framework. He placed the responsibility on the government to manage borders effectively, while reminding all residents to respect national laws. He warned that inflammatory rhetoric regarding foreign nationals is both dangerous and irresponsible in a country already grappling with high levels of violent crime.
Turning to the issue of race, Ramaphosa firmly rejected any return to the racial divisions of the apartheid era. He drew a sharp distinction between historical oppression and modern redress policies to correct past injustices.
“There is no moral equivalence between redress and discrimination,” Ramaphosa stated, clarifying that legitimate, constitutionally grounded measures designed to overcome racial exclusion cannot be equated with the apartheid laws that enforced dispossession and inequality. He urged vigilance against those seeking to polarize communities and reopen historical wounds.
The President also took direct aim at the false narrative of a “white genocide” in South Africa. He condemned individuals who travel to foreign capitals to promote this falsehood, arguing that such actions actively discourage foreign investment at a time when the country desperately needs economic growth to combat high unemployment. He labeled the promotion of this myth as both irresponsible and unpatriotic.
Concluding his message, Ramaphosa reminded citizens that while South Africa is inherently diverse, it is the shared constitutional values that transcend race, gender, language, culture, and geography that truly define the nation. He urged all South Africans to renew the foundational choice made in 1994 to build the country together, framing it as both a shared heritage and a collective, ongoing responsibility.