‘We South Africans support Black Lives Matter’: Ramaphosa on reconciliation
Cyril Ramaphosa has given his address on the Day of Reconciliation, admitting that race relations in the country right now are ‘fragile’. The president acknowledged racial protests that had taken place in Senekal, Eldorado Park, and Brackenfell in the past few months, while also giving a nod to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Cyril laments ‘fragile race relations’ in SA
His speech, delivered virtually, praised South Africans who have embraced the spirit of reconciliation. However, the President Ramaphosa remains concerned about the fact that many citizens are yet to feel the benefits of the so-called ‘Rainbow Nation’ – sentiments that were raised by the EFF earlier on Wednesday.
“Much as we continue to actively work to overcome the divisions in our society, deep and persistent challenges remain. We have seen racial tensions flare up in several parts of our country, polarising communities, and opening old wounds.”
“What we’ve seen in Senekal in the Free State, in Eldorado Park in Gauteng, and in Brackenfell in Cape Town shows that the state of race relations in our country remains fragile. We may have come a long way from the days of institutionalised racism, but we are alive to the reality that for many, reconciliation is something they have yet to experience.”
Cyril Ramaphosa
Ramaphosa talks ‘Black Lives Matter’
Ramaphosa went on to discuss the Black Lives Matter movement, which became one of the focal points of 2020. Protests for racial justice swept across the world, but not everyone was swayed by the pleas for equality. Cyril stated that South Africans are well-placed to understand the dangers of racism, given our country’s chequered history.
“As South Africans we have come out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, having experienced one of the world’s most brutal forms of institutionalised racism, and fully aware that racism continues in our country in various different forms. We hope that our path to a non-racial society may serve as an example to others.”
Cyril Ramaphosa
"Day of Reconciliation is a day on which we recall the injustices of our history."
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) December 16, 2020
Address by President @CyrilRamaphosa on the occasion of the National Day of Reconciliation, Cape Town. https://t.co/05hM9DAqXt#ReconciliationDay2020
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