Category: English

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to celebrate the country’s extraordinary diversity while strengthening the values of unity, ubuntu and human dignity that bind the nation together.

“Today, across our country, as South Africans, we are celebrating who we are. We are celebrating the languages we speak, the songs we sing, the food we prepare, the clothes we wear, the stories we tell and the customs we observe,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President delivered the keynote address during the National Heritage Day celebrations at Bongolethu Sports Stadium in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, on Thursday, held under the theme: “Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us.”

The President said this year’s Heritage Day theme is important because heritage is not simply about the past but remains alive in people and communities.

“Our heritage is living because it resides in people.”

He noted that living heritage can be found in homes and communities, in the knowledge of traditional healers, the work of craftspeople, music and dance, ceremonies, faith, rituals, languages and the African understanding of ubuntu.

President Ramaphosa also paid tribute to the country’s Living Human Treasures, including traditional practitioners, storytellers, musicians, healers, craftspeople and knowledge holders who preserve South Africa’s collective memory.

He said the country has a responsibility to ensure that indigenous knowledge and traditions are passed from one generation to another.

“We must record it. We must teach it. We must practise it. And above all, we must pass it on,” President Ramaphosa said.

READ | Heritage belongs to every South African – Mavuso

The President further noted that Heritage Day is an opportunity to remember both the painful chapters of South Africa’s history and the courage and solidarity of those who resisted injustice.

He stressed the need for South Africans to remember dispossession, slavery, colonialism, apartheid and forced removals, as well as millions of people who resisted oppression and ultimately chose to build one country together.

“That too is our heritage.”

The Constitution and belonging
The President said the Constitution is part of the country’s heritage.

“It is the tie that binds us together,” he said, adding that the country’s diversity of cultures, languages, religions and histories does not make it less of a nation.
“Our diversity does not make us less of a nation; our diversity is what makes us the nation that we are,” the President said.

The President emphasised that South Africa’s challenge is to bring its different identities together and use diversity as an opportunity to learn from one another.

However, he warned that belonging cannot only be something written in the Constitution.
“It must be something people experience in their daily lives. And that is where the challenge of our generation lies.”

Equality and gender-based violence
The President said belonging should be reflected in access to education, healthcare, social protection, housing, basic services and economic opportunities.

“This freedom is not equally lived by someone who lives in a community where the streets are safe, and someone who lives every day with the fear of crime. It is unequally lived by a household that can provide its own electricity and water, and a household dependent on a municipality that is failing to provide basic services.

“It is unequally lived by a young person with access to education, technology and opportunity, and another young person whose circumstances deny them those opportunities. And it is profoundly unequally lived by a man who can walk the streets without fear, and a woman who must constantly consider whether she will be safe,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa added that under the umbrella of the National Dialogue process, government wants to write the next chapter of the South African story and craft a new vision for the country.

“We have attained our freedom; the next step in our collective journey is giving meaning to that freedom,” the President said.

In addition, he said violence against women “will not be part of the inheritance we leave to the next generation.”
READ | President Ramaphosa to address the nation on GBV measures

“In a few days, I will address the nation on the steps government is taking to confront gender-based violence, and to update South Africans on the investigation into the killings of women in and around Ekurhuleni,” he said. –SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that government will, in a few days, address the nation on the steps it is taking to confront gender-based violence (GBV), and update South Africans on the investigation into the killings of women in and around Ekurhuleni.

President Ramaphosa made the announcement at the National Heritage Day celebrations at Bongolethu Sports Stadium in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, on Thursday.

This follows the discovery of nine bodies of women in Gauteng’s Ekurhuleni and surrounding areas over the past two months.

READ | Government intensifies work to bring justice for murdered Ekurhuleni women

In his address, President Ramaphosa declared that the abuse, rape and killing of women cannot be regarded as part of South Africa’s heritage, saying women have the right to walk the streets of their country at any hour without fear.

“The abuse, rape and killing of women is not our heritage. There is no culture worthy of the name that diminishes the dignity of women.”

He said the pain and suffering that the women of South Africa have been put through stands out as a national shame.

The President said the country’s celebration of its heritage must confront the realities that affect the daily lives of South Africans, particularly the unequal experience of freedom and safety.

“It is profoundly unequally lived by a man who can walk the streets without fear, and a woman who must constantly consider whether she will be safe.”

The President also used the Heritage Day platform to make a declaration on the country’s response to violence against women, maintaining that violence against women will not be part of the inheritance left to the next generation.

He said strengthening the ties that bind South Africans requires the country to address the gaps between the lived experiences of its people.

The President noted that freedom is not equally experienced by people living in safe communities and those living with the fear of crime, or by young people with access to education and opportunities and those whose circumstances denied them such opportunities.

He challenged South Africans to build a country which is safe for all people, where there is dignity, and where government serves its people.

“A country where there is work. Where business can invest, where workers prosper, [and] where children learn.”  

The President also called on South Africans to guard against forces that seek to undermine national unity.
In the past, he said the country’s common enemy was apartheid, and the enemy today is unemployment, GBV, corruption, and alcohol and drug abuse.  

“We must tackle these problems together, like our forebears did when they fought side by side until they defeated apartheid.  Our common cause today is bringing about the conditions in which every South African can truly live the freedom that was promised them in 1994,”he said. – SAnews.gov.za

A suspect wanted in connection with the killing of nine people in Sydenham in October 2021 is expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 25 September.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the suspect was arrested in the Obuka area in Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday night. 

On 16 October 2021, six people were shot and killed at a house at Palmiet Road Informal Settlement in Sydenham. A short distance from the scene, three more people were shot and killed in two separate incidents on the same day, allegedly by the same suspects.

The matter was referred to the Murder and Robbery Unit for investigation. Two suspects were identified and pursued by police.

“One of them was traced and found in Empangeni; however, he resisted arrest and was shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police. The second suspect was elusive, but relentless police efforts led them to the Obuka area in Melmoth, where he was in hiding, and he was cornered and arrested.

“He will appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 25 September 2026 on multiple counts of murder,” said the SAPS in a statement on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Murder and Robbery Unit has been entrusted with investigating the killing of eleven people who were shot and killed at the Ziko area in KwaMakhutha on Tuesday night.
“Detectives are following several leads, and it is a matter of time before the suspects are arrested.”

READ | Government condemns KZN shooting incident

Police are appealing to anyone with information which can fast-track the investigation to contact the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or contact their nearest police station. –SAnews.gov.za 

While heritage is often associated with traditional attire, music, food, dance and ceremonies, it extends far beyond these visible expressions of culture, said Deputy Chairperson of the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, Nkosi Langa Mavuso.

“It lives in our languages and place names, in clan histories and family histories, in sacred sites and graves, in indigenous farming and healing knowledge, in customary law, and in the values through which our communities cared for children and women, settled disputes and supported neighbours in times of need,” Mavuso said.

Speaking at the National Heritage Day celebrations ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation, Langa called for greater efforts to restore dignity, record oral histories, revitalise indigenous languages, protect sacred places and ensure meaningful participation by Khoi and San communities in decisions affecting their heritage.

The celebrations were held at the Bongolethu Sport Stadium in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, on Thursday.
Mavuso also highlighted the constitutional protection of cultural and linguistic rights, noting that Sections 30 and 31 of the Constitution provide for the right to use a language and participate in the cultural life of one’s choice, as well as the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities to enjoy their culture together.

“These provisions must be viewed alongside the Constitution’s recognition of the institution, status and role of traditional leadership. These provisions belong together. They affirm that cultural identity and democratic citizenship can and must strengthen one another,” Mavuso said.

He further called for heritage to be viewed as a source of economic opportunity, particularly for young people and communities.

“Music, film, publishing, fashion, craft, cuisine, tourism and digital content can support our livelihoods. The National House therefore calls for partnerships that can turn cultural wealth into dignified local development.”
The Deputy Chairperson called for greater support for community museums and cultural centres, as well as training young people as heritage guides and archivists.

He emphasised that the responsibility of the current generation is not simply to preserve the past, but to ensure that heritage continues to provide meaning, dignity, opportunity and unity.

“Our responsibility is not merely to preserve the past; it is to carry forward what gives life, dignity and meaning, to correct what causes harm and to create a heritage that future generations can be proud of,” Mavuso said.

He said future generations should be able to look back and see that South Africans protected their languages, made room for every community in the country’s story and transformed the country’s cultural wealth into hope, opportunity and unity.

“Heritage Day belongs to every South African. It is therefore fitting that those who carry community memory, customary law, indigenous knowledge and living tradition should stand here as partners in shaping its meaning,” said Mavuso.

Mavuso said heritage is not only what South Africans inherited from previous generations, but also what they chose to protect, renew and pass on to future generations. He noted that while heritage is often associated with traditional attire, music, food, dance and ceremonies, it extends far beyond these visible expressions of culture.

Diversity is one of our greatest strengths
Held under the theme: “Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us”, the National Heritage Day celebrations at Oudtshoorn began with a tree-planting ceremony, setting the tone for a day dedicated to celebrating, protecting and passing on South Africa’s living heritage.

The Mayor of Oudtshoorn Municipality, Jan van der Ross, said the theme recognises that heritage does not only live in museums, monuments or history books, but in languages, faith, music, food and family stories.

He said Oudtshoorn and the surrounding region bring together diverse histories and traditions, including the heritage of the Khoi and San and the stories of communities shaped by the land and the contributions of generations of farm workers, artists, teachers, entrepreneurs, faith leaders and public servants.
“Our diversity is not something to fear or merely tolerate. It is one of our greatest strengths,” Van der Ross said.

He expressed appreciation to the Minister and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for entrusting Oudtshoorn with the national event, saying the municipality, communities and partners have responded positively despite receiving the invitation at short notice. – SAnews.gov.za

North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi has reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships that bring together science, innovation and development to address socio-economic challenges facing communities across the province.

Mokgosi made the commitment during a meeting with the Council for Geoscience Chairperson Kelepile Molete, Chief Executive Officer Mosa Mabuza and senior management to explore areas of collaboration.

Wednesday’s engagement formed part of the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships with key institutions that can contribute scientific expertise and evidence-based information to provincial planning and development.

Discussions focused on the strategic role of geoscience in unlocking investment opportunities, supporting responsible mineral resource development, improving land-use planning and strengthening the province’s resilience to environmental and geological hazards.

Mokgosi said North West, as one of South Africa’s leading mining provinces, needs to use scientific research and geological mapping to maximise the developmental benefits of its natural resource endowment.

“The North West Province is richly endowed with mineral resources that continue to play a critical role in our economy. Our engagement with the Council for Geoscience is an important step towards strengthening collaboration in the areas of mineral exploration, infrastructure planning, environmental sustainability and investment promotion.

“We are committed to ensuring that our mineral wealth contributes meaningfully to job creation, inclusive growth and the improvement of the livelihoods of our people,” he said.

He also emphasised the importance of geoscientific data and expertise in supporting provincial initiatives to attract new investment, develop mining-adjacent industries and identify opportunities for economic diversification in communities that remain heavily dependent on mining.

The Council for Geoscience shared insights into its mandate and programmes supporting government institutions with geological mapping and the identification of mineral potential.

Among the areas identified for potential collaboration are joint research, skills development, support for infrastructure projects, groundwater resource management, and using geoscientific information to inform spatial planning and sustainable development.

Mokgosi said partnerships with scientific institutions are important to building a capable developmental state in which decisions are informed by research, innovation and reliable data.

“As government, we remain focused on building a capable developmental state that utilises scientific knowledge and innovation to guide decision-making. Our collaboration with institutions such as the Council for Geoscience will assist us in identifying practical solutions that support economic development, create opportunities for young people and strengthen service delivery,” the Premier said. – SAnews.gov.za

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has called for renewed commitment to peace, political tolerance and protection of the democratic process, as the province prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Premier Ntuli made the call at the Provincial Multi-Party Political Intervention Committee meeting on Tuesday.

The gathering brought together political parties and key institutions involved in safeguarding a peaceful electoral environment. It also provided a platform to strengthen dialogue, cooperation and political tolerance ahead of the elections.

The Electoral Commission has been conducting engagements with political parties, including traditional leaders, civil society, faith-based organisations, and other stakeholders in KwaZulu-Natal, as part of preparations for the elections on 4 November 2026.

In his address, Ntuli emphasised that the right to vote remains one of the fundamental pillars of South Africa’s democracy and has been secured through generations of sacrifice.

Ntuli also noted that the right to vote is inseparable from the right of citizens to make meaningful political choices, and for political parties to organise, campaign and contest elections freely.

“A democracy in which parties can disagree fiercely, yet peacefully, is a democracy that is alive. A democracy that silences its parties, or allows them to be intimidated, has begun to lose its soul.”

The Multi-Party Political Intervention Committee was established to bring political parties together, build trust, and provide a platform where political differences can be resolved through dialogue, rather than conflict.

He expressed concern that too often, the committee’s discussions are dominated by violence, intra-party conflict and killings, instead of electoral readiness, voter confidence and the strengthening of democratic participation.

Ntuli called for a clear distinction between legitimate political contestation and criminal conduct.

“What has been labelled ‘political violence’ is, in its essence, pure criminality. A person who kills, threatens or intimidates another is not advancing a political cause. That person is a criminal,” the Premier said.
Murder is murder, whatever the motive. Intimidation is intimidation, whatever the party card, he said.

Law-enforcement agencies have also been called on to deal with criminality without fear or favour, while the Premier also urged the committee to reclaim its broader mandate of protecting the integrity of elections and strengthening democracy.

He reiterated that the provincial government supports free and fair elections, to ensure that eligible voters can cast their ballots safely and secretly, and that political parties campaign freely and communicate their messages to communities.

Commitment to the electoral process
Ntuli also reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to working closely with the Electoral Commission and ensuring that provincial departments, municipalities and law-enforcement agencies provide the institutional support necessary for the electoral process to proceed without obstruction.

The Premier called for an inclusive approach to political dialogue, extending engagement to parties represented in the Provincial Legislature, as well as parties operating outside the Legislature and local government.

“Every party that contests in good faith, and within the law, has a rightful place in this conversation. No party is too big to be heard, and no party is too small to be respected,” the Premier said.

He called for sustained dialogue between government and political parties throughout the electoral cycle, arguing that trust developed during periods of stability can help prevent tensions from escalating during more difficult periods.

“Democracy does not sleep between elections.”

Traditional leaders, civil society and faith-based organisations were also identified as important partners in promoting political tolerance and peaceful democratic participation.

Premier Ntuli said Amakhosi have significant trust and moral authority within communities and can play an important role in ensuring that political parties reach communities without fear.

He also highlighted the contribution of civil society and faith communities in promoting dialogue, counselling communities during periods of tension and reinforcing the value of human life. – SAnews.gov.za