Durban - President Cyril Ramaphosa says that despite numerous achievements garnered by South Africa since the dawn of democracy 28 years ago, many of the country’s milestones and the vision of a promised land of freedom, equality and shared prosperity had been tarnished by acts of corruption and state capture.
Ramaphosa was delivering his Freedom Day address in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, as South Africa today marks 28 years since the dawn of democracy on April 27, 1994.
He said that with the country having endured decades of injustice and hardship, in 1994 South Africans were infused with hope and expectation and held the vision of a promised land of freedom, equality and shared prosperity.
“However, that vision has been tarnished by acts of corruption and state capture. For some in positions of responsibility, the pursuit of self-enrichment was more important than improving the lives of the people.
“South Africans have shown that they are determined to restore that vision, to end state capture and fight corruption, and rebuild the institutions of our democracy,” Ramaphosa said.
He also lamented that in recent years, the ruinous apartheid inheritance of poverty and unemployment had been worsened by global economic shocks, a devastating pandemic and by the country’s own missteps and shortcomings.
He also touched on gender-based violence, substance abuse and other societal ills that have become rampant in South African communities, saying that crime and violence were “eating away at our society”.
“We can only defeat crime if we work together, as families, as communities and community leaders, as faith communities and leaders, and as individuals,” Ramaphosa said.
As South Africa continues to grapple with the contentious issue of immigrants, Ramaphosa condemned acts of xenophobia against foreign nationals.
“We are confronting a new menace, of violence against our brothers and sisters from other African countries. We have seen it in many parts of the country in recent weeks, and it is deeply troubling.
“There can be no doubt that we must work urgently to resolve issues of illegal immigration and its impact on our economy and society. But there will never be any justification for violence.
“For those who seek refuge from persecution and have legitimate grounds, for any who have entered our country legally and have the legal right to be here, they will find South Africa a welcoming place,” Ramaphosa said.
Sunday Tribune