South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has denounced violence against women as a national disgrace, emphasizing that the abuse, rape, and murder of women should not be considered part of South Africa’s cultural heritage. Addressing the National Heritage Day celebration in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, Ramaphosa urged the nation to embrace values such as dignity, equality, and respect, in addition to its languages, traditions, and customs.
Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of women being able to live and move freely without the fear of violence, asserting that no cultural tradition should undermine their dignity. His comments come amid ongoing concerns over gender-based violence and the killing of women in South Africa. The President stated that the government would soon provide an update on measures being implemented to combat gender-based violence, as well as investigations into recent killings in and around Ekurhuleni.
The President called for collective action to tackle various challenges facing the country, including gender-based violence, unemployment, corruption, and substance abuse. He stressed that unity, ubuntu, and human dignity should guide efforts to create a safer and more inclusive South Africa.
Ramaphosa’s remarks serve as a reminder of the urgent need to address these societal issues, reinforcing the government’s commitment to protecting the rights and safety of women across the nation.