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 it is not part of the country’s heritage.

The abuse, the rape and the killing of women is not our heritage. It is a stain on our national conscience.

Ramaphosa was speaking at the national Heritage Day celebrations in the Western Cape on Tuesday. He said that while South Africans celebrate their diverse cultures and traditions, they must also confront the scourge of gender-based violence.

We must ask ourselves what kind of society we are building when women and children live in fear. We must ask ourselves what kind of men we are raising when they believe that they have the right to violate the dignity and the bodies of women.

The President said that the government is committed to fighting gender-based violence and that it will continue to strengthen the laws and institutions that protect women and children. He also called on all South Africans to play their part in ending the violence.

We must all stand together to say enough is enough. We must all work together to create a society where women and children are safe and where they can live their lives with dignity and respect.