South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has denounced violence against women as a national disgrace, emphasizing that abuse, rape, and the killing of women should not be considered part of South Africa’s heritage. Speaking at the National Heritage Day celebration in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, Ramaphosa urged that the country’s heritage should embody values of dignity, equality, and respect, alongside its languages, traditions, and customs.
Ramaphosa highlighted the necessity for women to move freely and safely without the threat of violence, asserting that no cultural tradition should compromise the dignity of women. His comments come amid ongoing concerns in South Africa over gender-based violence and the recent killings of women.
The president announced that the government would soon provide an update on measures to combat gender-based violence and the status of investigations into recent killings in and around Ekurhuleni. He called for collective action to address the pressing challenges facing the nation, including gender-based violence, unemployment, corruption, and substance abuse.
Ramaphosa underscored the importance of unity, ubuntu, and human dignity as guiding principles in efforts to build a safer and more inclusive South Africa. His remarks serve as a call to action for the nation to confront these issues and work towards a society where all individuals can live without fear of violence or oppression.