President Jacob Zuma said yesterday the ideology of racism still remains “firmly entrenched” among some of the country’s population.
He was addressing thousands of people who had attended the national Freedom Day celebration in Manguzi, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Also in attendance was Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has been perceived in recent weeks as taking indirect swipes at Zuma as he criticised the cabinet reshuffle and called for a judicial inquiry into state capture.
However, yesterday Zuma and Ramaphosa presented a united front and were seen sharing jokes and laughing.
Zuma said to fight against racism, the government, through the Department of Justice, was finalising a national action plan.
“This plan will give further clarity and guidance to the government on the fight against racism. We have also recently published the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill.
“Once it becomes law, it will criminalise discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation and religion.”
Zuma said the country needed to unite against racism and build a society that Oliver Tambo had spoken about.
He said the Freedom Day celebrations were dedicated to Tambo who had, along with others, contributed in various ways to the attainment of freedom, and helped moved the country forward.
Zuma also recognised PAC leader Philip Kgosana’s contribution to the Struggle and said he had been a “liberation stalwart”.
“On this Freedom Day, we acknowledge his contribution and that of all who sacrificed for freedom.”
Zuma also spoke about radical economic transformation and said it was a “fundamental change in the structure, systems, institutions and patterns of ownership, management of control of the economy for the benefit of the majority.
“The majority of black people are still economically disempowered and are dissatisfied with the economic gains from liberation.”
He said the levels of inequality remained high and the pace of transformation in the workplace remained slow.
Meanwhile, in a tale of two Freedom Day celebrations, the SS Mendi memorial statue in Atteridgeville finally got some recognition – while hundreds gathered at Pretoria’s Caledonian Stadium calling for Zuma to step down.
Both occasions were part of a series of celebrations across the country to mark the 23rd anniversary of Freedom Day under the theme, “Freedom is in your Hands – The year of OR Tambo”.
In his keynote address at the SS Mendi memorial, Gauteng Premier David Makhura called on leaders to listen to the people and not dismiss them whenever they make criticisms against them.
He added: “On a day like this, we must remember all those who paid the supreme price for freedom from all generations… If our democratic institutions are destroyed it is the future generations that will suffer.”
He said it was critical for the government to forge a partnership with the people with a view to advance democracy. “On a day like this, we recommit to building a better life for our people.”
At the Caledonian, supporters of political parties, civil society organisations and religious groups joined a rally under the banner of the Freedom Movement.
Most clad in DA T-shirts, they held up placards bearing messages such as, “Defend our constitution”, “Power to the people”, “Defend our freedom”.
DA MP Phumzile van Damme read out a declaration: “We want the world to know today that we resolve to protect the constitution of South Africa, to remove Jacob Zuma from office, to uproot corruption and state capture and defend our hard-won freedom.”