CAPE TOWN, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday called for unity and collective action to heal historical wounds and build an inclusive future, as the country observed the National Day of Reconciliation.
Ramaphosa made the remark when delivering the keynote address at an official commemoration event held at Vredendal in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
The National Day of Reconciliation is a public holiday celebrated in South Africa annually on Dec. 16 after the country ended apartheid in 1994. This year's theme is "Healing Historical Wounds and Forging New Futures."
In his address, Ramaphosa noted that the day serves as a reminder of the country's journey toward healing and forgiveness since the end of apartheid. "Reconciliation Day is about advancing reconciliation, justice and nation-building. It promotes social cohesion and healing. The past may be behind us, but we are left with its wounds," he said.
"We have deep scars as a reminder of our painful experiences. We cannot heal these historical wounds by forgetting our past. There are things that should be done to heal the wounds of the past," he stressed.
The president urged all South Africans to work together to address pressing challenges, promote social justice and build an inclusive economy.
"Reconciliation involves both the healing of historical wounds and the bridging of social, economic and racial divides," said Ramaphosa. "Our goal is to foster unity and social cohesion amongst the country's diverse communities, and encourage mutual respect and understanding."
He underlined that reconciliation is not a symbolic act, but requires a fundamental transformation of society to create a fair and just nation. "The program of the Government of National Unity has therefore prioritized inclusive growth, job creation and transformation. It has prioritized the fight against poverty and building a capable, developmental state that meets the needs of all South Africans. Through this work, we will together transform our society," he said.
Ramaphosa also announced that South Africa will hold a National Dialogue next year to enable a conversation among citizens on shaping the country's future developmental path.
"The National Dialogue will give us an opportunity to address the challenges we have been facing for the past 15 years of low growth and unemployment, poverty and hunger, poor governance, slow land reform and corruption," he said, revealing that all the necessary structures and processes of the National Dialogue will be in place in early 2025.
"We expect that the National Dialogue will reach agreement on the critical challenges facing the nation. It is expected to develop a shared vision of what it means to be a South African and of a common value system that will guide current and future generations," he said.
"With a renewed commitment to social justice, economic empowerment, and cultural understanding, our country can continue to build on its achievements. We can fulfill our destiny to be a truly reconciled, equal, caring and united nation," he added. ■