Ramaphosa: Abuse, rape and killing of women not our heritage

President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his Heritage Day address to condemn the abuse, rape and killing of women in South Africa, saying these acts are not part of the country’s heritage.

Addressing the nation from the North West, the President said that while South Africans celebrate their diverse cultures and traditions, they must also confront the “dark side” of their society.

The abuse, the rape and the killing of women is not our heritage. It is a stain on our national conscience. It is a betrayal of the values of our Constitution and the vision of a free, equal and non-sexist society that we have worked so hard to build.

Ramaphosa said that gender-based violence is a “national crisis” that requires a collective response from all sectors of society.

He called on men to take responsibility for their actions and to challenge the “toxic masculinity” that fuels violence against women.

We must all, as men, take responsibility for the actions of our brothers, our fathers, our sons and our friends. We must speak out against the abuse of women and children. We must challenge the attitudes and the behaviours that perpetuate this violence.

The President also announced a number of measures that his government is taking to address gender-based violence, including the strengthening of the criminal justice system and the provision of support services for survivors.

He urged all South Africans to work together to build a society where women and children can live free from fear and violence.