Delville Wood: Ramaphosa calls for recognition of black South African WWI servicemen

Staff Reporter

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday that South Africa must correct the racial injustice that excluded black servicemen from the country’s official memory of the First World War, declaring that national sacrifice could not be divided according to race.

Speaking at the 110th commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood in northern France, Ramaphosa said South Africa had for decades honoured only part of its wartime history while diminishing the contributions of black labourers and servicemen.

“We gather to affirm that the memory of a nation cannot be divided according to race,” Ramaphosa said.

“Sacrifice has no colour — and courage belongs to no single community.”

The ceremony formed part of Ramaphosa’s official visit to France from 10 to 12 July, during which he held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, participated in high-level education meetings at UNESCO headquarters in Paris and met French business leaders.

Ramaphosa paid