President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to defend the constitutional values that bind the nation together, warning against divisive rhetoric and violence that threatens the country’s social fabric.

Writing in his weekly newsletter after Heritage Day celebrations, Ramaphosa said while South Africans celebrated their diverse cultures and traditions, the nation cannot allow violence against women, xenophobia and racism to define who they are.

“The abuse, rape and killing of women is a stain on our national conscience. We cannot claim to be a society founded on freedom, equality and human dignity while half of our population lives in fear of violence,” he wrote.

The President said Heritage Day showed South Africans from every community celebrating their own heritage whilst honouring the heritage of others, with social media filled with images of black, white, Indian and Coloured South Africans displaying the richness of their cultures.

But he warned that heritage is not only what the nation celebrates, but also what it must defend.

Rejection of xenophobia

Turning to xenophobia, Ramaphosa said South Africa refuses to be defined by intolerance towards foreign nationals, noting that African nations supported the country’s liberation struggle.

However, he stressed that migration must take place within the law and government has a responsibility to manage borders effectively.

“At a time when undocumented migration is fuelling social tensions, inflammatory statements about foreign nationals are dangerous and irresponsible,” he said.

Freedom comes with responsibility

The President emphasised that whilst the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, this freedom comes with responsibility.

He condemned the public humiliation of women, saying it reinforces attitudes that sustain discrimination and violence in a country where women are killed every day.

He also criticised language that glorifies killing or encourages hostility, saying it has no place in South Africa’s public life.

Taking aim at those who spread claims of “white genocide” in foreign capitals, the president called such actions neither responsible nor patriotic, saying they discourage investment at a time when the country needs economic growth.

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Call for unity

Ramaphosa said South Africans are united by constitutional values of non-racialism, non-sexism, equality, democracy and human dignity that transcend race, gender, language, culture and geography.

“We must remain vigilant against those who seek to undermine our national unity and turn South Africans against one another. We all have a responsibility to hold our social fabric together,” he wrote.

He called on citizens to renew the choice made in 1994 to build the country together, saying this shared heritage is also a shared responsibility.

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