Question NW725 to the President of the Republic
12 April 2016 - NW725
Carter, Ms D to ask the President of the Republic
(1)Whether he met or was planning to meet with representatives of the different race, language and cultural groups of our country within the next 90 days to address the rapidly deepening racial polarisation in South Africa in a collective and inclusive manner and, in preparation of such a meeting, share with them up-to-date and high-quality research to facilitate dialogues and to adopt measures that would expeditiously and thoroughly help (a) address racial tension, (b) accelerate race reconciliation and nation building, (c) promote the attainment of a common national identity and (d) allow the principle of Ubuntu to manifest everywhere in the South African society; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he will make a statement on what the Government has been doing since 2009 to deal decisively with our country’s deteriorating race relations and the consequences thereof; if not, why not; if so, what are the details?
Reply:
1. I have not met with representatives of any specific race groups to discuss the resurgence of racism in our society. The matter has been discussed at various forums where I have met with various stakeholders, but I have not called a meeting of specific race groups to discuss the matter.
As you may be aware, I declared the Human Rights Month, March 2016, as the month to focus on fighting the scourge of racism. The campaigns and programmes that were undertaken during the month culminated in the Human Rights Day event at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, which had a strong focus on uniting society against racism.
2. Promoting national unity and social cohesion is a constitutional imperative. We have used every avenue to promote the unity of our people and to advance social cohesion. We have done this through the statements we have made during important National Days, and through implementing the government’s programme of transforming our country into a truly non-sexist and non-racial society.
We urge leaders of all sectors to play their part in building a non-racial society.