RECONCILIATION BY SINAZO MKOKO
Building a united and cohesive nation
T
he Preamble to the South African Constitution states, “We, the people of South Africa, recognise the injustices of our past; honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.”
December is reconciliation month in South Africa, and the country marks National Reconciliation Day on December 16. The day aims to promote social cohesion, healing, unity, and nation-building
According to the South African government, this year’s emphasis is on South Africans’ vital role in strengthening democracy and ensuring that their opinions are heard and incorporated into daily decisions aimed at improving people’s lives. The event for this year’s Reconciliation Day will be held in Vhembe District, Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo, under the theme “Strengthening unity and social cohesion in a healing nation.”In his Letter to the Nation in September this year, His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa stated
40 | Public Sector Leaders | December 2023/ January 2024
that one of the most incredible aspects of South African society today is the “common commitment to maintain peace amongst ourselves and our neighbours and to prevent tribalism and ethnic chauvinism from sowing discord between us.” “Even when acts of racism occur, these provocations are rejected by South Africans, who won’t let them be used to exacerbate tensions in communities,” he said. His Excellency President Ramaphosa said while so many countries and societies around the world today are beset by conflict, South Africa
