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

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the abuse, rape and killing of women in South Africa is not part of the country’s heritage.

Speaking at the national Heritage Day celebrations in Limpopo on Tuesday, the President said that the country’s history and culture should be defined by values of respect and dignity, not by the violence that has plagued the nation.

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 democratic society.

Ramaphosa urged South Africans to reclaim their heritage by standing up against gender-based violence and femicide, which he described as a “second pandemic” in the country.

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

We must build a society where women are safe, where they are respected and where they are free to live their lives without fear. This is the heritage we must build for our children and for the generations to come.

The President’s remarks come as South Africa continues to grapple with high rates of gender-based violence, with recent statistics showing a concerning increase in the number of reported cases.