PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that the killing of four people in Skierlik in the North West 14 years ago was a proof that the scourge of racism continues to plague the South African society to this day.
Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address at this year’s Human Rights Day commemorations in Koster in the North West, which took place under the theme: ‘The Year of Unity and Renewal: Protecting and Preserving our Human Rights Gains’.
“It was a stark reminder to us all that racism did not die with the fall of apartheid. It showed us that there was much work still to be done to build the bridges of tolerance and understanding in our nation,” said Ramaphosa.
“Just as the people of Sharpeville in Gauteng still bear the scars of a tragedy 62 years ago that was fueled by racial hatred, 14 years ago this community was shaken by a terrible crime.”
Fourteen years ago, a white gunman, Johan Nel, opened fire in the settlement of Skierlik, killing four people and wounding many more.
Ramaphosa said the same racial intolerance is still experienced by many black South Africans.
“We are reminded of this even today when we hear of incidents of racism and intolerance in schools, in workplaces, in communities, in our universities, on the roads of our country, in professional sectors, and in many other places where South Africans interface with one another. These incidents do sadden, they make us angry as they should, but much worse they humiliate us,” said Ramaphosa
Ramaphosa said even though racism was still a reality, the constitution affirmed that South Africa belongs to all who live in it.
“It affirms that our society is rooted in non-racialism and non-sexism. It holds that our country is founded on the rule of law and that all are equal before the law. They may have brought back bitter memories of our past, but they have not dragged us back to that past,” added Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa added that when employers knowingly hire undocumented foreign workers, they contribute towards social tensions between citizens and foreign nationals in the country.
“I want to take this occasion to address employers in this country, including in hospitality, agriculture, transport and other labour-intensive sectors. When employers knowingly hire undocumented foreign workers, they are breaking the law,” said Ramaphosa.
“Those who want to live and work in our country must, however, be documented, and have the right to be here [and] work here.”
He said the Departments of Home Affairs and Employment and Labour continue to engage with employers to ensure compliance with the immigration and labour laws of the country.
“As a country founded on tolerance, respect for diversity and non-discrimination, we must never allow ourselves to turn against people who come from beyond our borders. Like those countries that gave us shelter during the dark times of apartheid, we must be a welcoming country, particularly of refugees fleeing persecution elsewhere,” the President said.
Monday marks 62 years since the Sharpeville Massacre occurred on 21 March 1960, where 69 anti-apartheid protesters were killed by the police.
This national day also honours the 35 people who were killed when police cracked down on community members in Langa, Uitenhage, where they had attended a funeral on 21 March 1985.
- Inside Politics
