Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Nathi Mthethwa asserts that although it is the job of the government to promote and develop national reconciliation via progressive policies and education, reconciliation must begin with the persons and their attitudes.
“We should not despair at the actions of the few, who still cling to the attitudes, behaviour and language of the past,” Mthethwa said.
Mthethwa, delivering the Day of Reconciliation keynote address online on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, said that the painful year endured by many would soon come to an end.
“In our communities, at our places of work and study, and in our homes, South Africans have had to confront many challenges,” Mthethwa said.
Mthethwa said that South Africans had to contend with the severe repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, including soaring food and fuel costs, catastrophic floods in areas of the nation, and prolonged power outages.
“It is therefore particularly distressing that, amidst all these challenges, there have been several incidents of racism and intolerance. We have witnessed racists acts in our universities, schools and other public places,” Mthethwa said.
Mthethwa said that although it is very worrisome that these beliefs persist in society, South Africans can take solace in the fact that racist offenders have received neither sympathy nor acquiescence from wider community.
“Time and again, our nation has shown its true character in times of need. In the darkest days of the pandemic, during last year’s unrest and in the aftermath of the floods earlier this year, South Africans came together. Communities reached out to each other.
“The same can be said for the incidents of racism that took place this year. Civil society mobilised against the racists. Pressure was placed on the institutions involved to take swift and appropriate action. Acts of racism will not be suppressed, buried or rationalised. They will be publicised, filmed, and put on full public view for all to see.
“No matter how great the difficulties we may be facing, we cannot turn on each other. It is up to each one of us, whether as families, parents, educators or as communities to do more to build bridges of understanding.
“It cannot be that bringing about reconciliation should be the responsibility of the formerly oppressed. Instead of retreating into our cocoons of race, language, ethnicity and class, let us use today, and indeed every day, as an opportunity to play our part,” Mthethwa said.
This year’s Reconciliation Day is being held under the theme: “National Unity, Healing and Renewal”.
National Reconciliation Day is observed yearly on December 16 to promote social cohesion, healing, unity, nation-building, and renewal.
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