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President Cyril Ramaphosa says to achieve true reconciliation, the country must first overcome poverty, inequality and underdevelopment that affects the country’s majority.

“True reconciliation will not be possible unless we address the many ills in our society. We cannot build a truly caring society so long as the country’s majority live in conditions of poverty, inequality and deprivation, while a minority exists in comfort and privilege,” he said.

The President made these remarks during his address to mark the 25th national Day of Reconciliation on Wednesday.

Making reference to recent flare-ups of racial tensions in Senekal in the Free State, Eldorado Park in Gauteng and Brackenfell in Cape Town, the President said these incidents show that the state of race relations in the country remain fragile.

“We may have come a long way from the days of institutionalised racism, but we are alive to the reality that for many, reconciliation is something they have yet to experience,” he said.

Reflecting on the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement that started in the United States and spread across the globe and saw people demonstrate against discrimination of black people, the President said more work needs to be done to realise reconciliation.

Highlighting poverty, inequality and socio-economic ills, President Ramaphosa said these must be addressed to effectively deal with the institutionalised racism that exists.

In this regard, the President said businesses must support policies of redress and transformation through hiring practices, in capacitating and skilling staff, and in investing in the communities in which they operate.

“Labour must continue with its important mandate to protect and advance the rights of workers, and work towards improving the industrial relations landscape.

“Farming organisations and landowners must support government’s efforts towards land reform, which is a fundamental part of reconciliation,” he said.

Having concluded the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign a week ago, the President reaffirmed the need to address the scourge of gender-based violence in the country’s reconciliation efforts.

“We cannot achieve reconciliation for as long as the women of our country – who constitute half of our population – live in fear of gender-based violence.

“We must stand firm in our rejection of all forms of violence against women and children. As men we must be integrally involved in this struggle, because it is men who are the perpetrators,” said the President.

While highlighting the social ills that still persist, the President noted that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the nations’ ability to overcome challenges by joining hands.

“Perhaps not since the advent of democracy in 1994 have we stood together as a united nation, bound by empathy, compassion and our common humanity.

“As much as the pandemic exposed the great economic divisions that exist between us, it has shown once again that we are not the society that the apartheid system intended us to become,” said the President.

eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, says the City of Durban expects to welcome 540 000 visitors over the festive season, representing a R3 billion injection into the city’s gross domestic product.

Kaunda on Wednesday launched the province’s festive season programme at Max’s Lifestyle in Umlazi.

The celebration brought the spirit of Christmas to the township, with performances of well-loved carols by the full KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Thandeka Ndlovu, and a host of other performers.

Kaunda said during this month, the municipality wants to ensure that visitors to the city are able to take in the full, safe and authentic Durban holiday experience, which includes a number of entertainment and leisure nodes.

“We want to enhance the overall visitor experience, and that is among the reasons we are present in Umlazi today. It’s about bringing tourism to the people and spreading the city’s festive season message as widely as possible,” Kaunda said.

On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced new COVID-19 safety restrictions for the festive season, including, among others, the closing of KwaZulu-Natal beaches and public parks on what are traditionally the busiest days of the season, namely 16, 25, 26 and 31 December 2020, as well as 1, 2 and 3 January 2021.

Among these restricted spots are 12 Durban beaches recently awarded Blue Flag status for the 2020/21 season.

The promenade will remain open for recreational activities and residents can still enjoy other healthy activities along the beach such as jogging, walking, running and yoga. On all other days, all beaches are open between 9am and 6pm with lifeguards on duty.

The hours of the curfew will also be longer, starting at 11pm until 4am, and this includes Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Non-essential establishments, including restaurants and bars, will also close at 10pm so that staff and patrons can get home on time.

Kaunda said eThekwini Municipality fully supports these measures, “even though we understand and appreciate that this will be a disappointment to those who enjoy visiting our City at this time”.

“We will comply with any directive to balance the needs of the tourism sector with the safety of visitors and Durban residents,” the Mayor said.

Kaunda will also this week host a festive luncheon for some of the city’s underprivileged children, treating them to exciting activities at uShaka Marine World.

He will then visit tourism precincts including Umhlanga, Florida Road, Umlazi and Chesterville, to engage with product owners and patrons ahead of the festive season peak.

Tourism Safe Travel Awareness Educational Activations

The Mayor also unpacked progress on the implementation of the City’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, where Re-starting the Tourism Sector is represented as pillar three.

He said eThekwini is coordinating with the Departments of Health, Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, to ensure the safety of visitors and residents over the holiday.

Durban Tourism will be rolling out Tourism Safe Travel Awareness Educational Activations in various townships.

Kaunda appealed to young people and others to limit or avoid social gatherings and parties, which are the largest source of outbreaks.

He also urged the community to drink responsibly, observe social distancing, and not gather in large groups and to keep celebrations as small as possible.

“Avoid crowded venues and those that are not adequately ventilated. Better yet, get outside and enjoy our beautiful Durban weather. Sanitise your hands and wear your masks properly over the nose and mouth, not the chin,” Kaunda said.

Law enforcement officials have discontinued more than 1 800 vehicles from operating on public roads.

This follows the discovery that these vehicles had major defects that placed the lives of other road users at risk.

“Some of the major defects identified in the vehicles include faulty brakes, dysfunctional steering racks, smooth tyres and badly cracked windscreens. Owners of the vehicles have to fix the defects and subject the cars to roadworthy tests before operating them on public roads,” the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said on Thursday.

Vehicle roadworthiness has been identified as a key focus area in this year’s festive season road safety campaign.

Last year, vehicles roadworthiness was a factor in seven percent of fatal crashes that took place over the festive season.

“To assist law enforcement agencies to deal with this matter, the RTMC has purchased 19 mobile vehicle testing stations and distributed them in different provinces to assist in identifying vehicles that are unfit to be operated on public roads.

“The RTMC reiterates its call to motorists to fix their vehicles before embarking on their journeys and avoid overloading to reduce the number of people dying in road crashes.”

In addition, 1 465 public transport vehicles have been impounded for operating contrary to their permits and overloading of passengers.

Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, has expressed concern at what he described as reckless behaviour exhibited by some bathers on Cape Town’s beaches.

He said that this flies in the face of the country’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

On the first public holiday since the announcement of stricter COVID-19 measures announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday, Minister Cele led a walk about along with his deputy Cassel Mathale and the South African Police Service (SAPS) top officials.

As the country commemorated Reconciliation Day on Wednesday, the Minister and his delegation inspected compliance of COVID-19 regulations on beaches in the City of Cape Town.

“The country’s first Reconciliation Day under Lockdown level 1 on our beaches was less busy than usual. [Of] those that came out to swim, many did wear their masks and practiced social distancing. However as the day progressed, the numbers increased and on some beaches there was a total disregard of health protocols which is worrying,” Cele said in a statement.

The entourage visited Camps Bay, Strand, Clifton, Munwabisi, Big Bay, Strandfontein, Macassar, Mnandi and other beaches in and around the city.

Cape Town beaches are permitted to open from 6am until 6pm under the recently revised regulations.

Minister Cele interacted with bathers of the various beaches and expressed his gratitude for many of them who observed COVID-19 protocols.

Cele will use his observations to make his contributions to the National Coronavirus Command Council.

Meanwhile, an activity by a private company on the Camps Bay beach was shut down during the Ministers walkabout.

The Ministry of Police said while it was permitted by the City of Cape Town, upon closer inspection, the production was not compliant with what is permitted on beaches, as stipulated on the COVID-19 regulations.

“According to the permit of the production company that was handed to the SAPS, the production would go against the very rules set out by the President which are clear on what is permitted on beaches and therefore could not be allowed to continue for now,” said the Minister.

Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, is pleading with South Africans travelling to the Northern hemisphere countries to exercise caution as most nations are deep in the second wave of COVID-19.

Speaking during a media briefing on Monday, Pandor said she was worried about travellers becoming distressed or even destitute pending the reintroduction of stricter lockdown restrictions with the likelihood of cancelling international flights at short notice.

“Please note that you will be travelling at your own risk to these countries knowing the current circumstances and the uncertainty going forward,” the Minister added.

Pandor has also asked the holidaymakers to familiarise themselves with immigration and health entry requirements of the country they will be visiting during the pandemic.

“If you have any uncertainty regarding the entry health requirements of the country you will be visiting, then please contact their embassy in SA for assistance. If you need any clarity about the health entry requirements upon your return to SA, and then please consult the website of the Department of Health,” she added.

According to the Minister, travellers should also ensure that they have adequate travel insurance.

“Many South Africans had no or inadequate travel insurance during the peak of the pandemic earlier this year to cover extended hotel accommodation, new flight tickets, and so on.”

The Minister also asked them to register with the embassies abroad and contact particulars of embassies available on DIRCO’s website.

“South Africans are encouraged to register via the e-mail addresses provided as some of our officials might be working remotely due to local lockdown regulations and will not always be able to take your calls. Inform your family or next of kin of your destination and duration of stay.”

Also, ensure that you meet the immigration requirements of the country you wish to visit as countries have revised their visa regimes during the global pandemic.

“Read thoroughly on the country you intend visiting as the global situation is unstable. If the country you visit is a high risk one, consider postponing your visit or proceeding with caution if the travel is avoidable.”

Also, know the COVID-19 protocols of the country you intend visiting as should you not comply, you might be refused entry, she advised.

“Although not yet common, many airlines will likely require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations before commencing travel. Currently, a COVID-19 test is compulsory.”

Repatriation

Meanwhile, one of the hurdles faced by the department this year was the repatriation of citizens who found themselves stuck outside of South Africa due to lockdowns that were implemented by many countries, including South Africa.

According to Pandor, the department’s Consular Services managed to repatriate just over 30 000 South Africans who were stranded from all corners of the world, using over 350 flights.

The Minister said this was when President Cyril Ramaphosa announced South Africa’s level 5 lockdown on the 15 March 2020 to when international travel was again permitted under level 1.

“The number excludes tens of thousands who used our land borders.”

She has expressed her gratitude to all the officials who were involved in this process.

“I know many spent sleepless nights, working seven days a week trying to bring our fellow citizens back to their loved ones.”

Pandor has also urged people to keep safe, as the number of COVID-19 cases peak in South Africa – by wearing masking, maintain social distance and washing hands.

The Basic Education Department says it will approach the courts to challenge aspects of the judgement handed down by Judge Norman Davis, which set aside the matric national rewrite.

On Friday, Judge Davis set aside the decision taken by the department to have the 2020 matriculants rewrite the Mathematics Paper 2 and the Physical Science Paper 2.

A fortnight ago, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced that matriculants would rewrite the two exams after quality assurance council Umalusi concluded that the integrity and credibility of the paper had been irrevocably compromised.

The SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), civil rights organisation AfriForum and other interested parties approached the court to have the decision to rewrite overturned.

“CEM has noted a number of aspects in the judgment that cannot be left unchallenged. After consulting broadly and extensively with lawyers, the courts will be approached to correct those identified aspects of the judgement,” said the Basic Education Department (DBE) in a statement on Saturday.

Noting the judgment, the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) said it will abide by the ruling and agreed that there will be no rewrite of the exams, which were scheduled for 15 and 17 December 2020, respectively.

“CEM agreed that the Class of 2020 has been confronted by many challenges brought about by the pandemic; and it would therefore be unfair to further subject the Class of 2020, their teachers and parents to further uncertainties and exacerbate the anxieties they currently face,” said the department.

While the DBE said it will abide by Friday’s ruling, it expressed concern that the court did not address the crux of the matter, namely the credibility, integrity and fairness of the 2020 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination.

“Some of the findings of the court, are discordant with applicable basic education legislative provisions; and some findings were made against the Department on issues that were not even raised in the court papers. CEM was particularly concerned about the tone and language used by the Honourable Judge,” said the department.

Finally, the CEM directed the department to continue with a sense of urgency with its investigation into the leaks of the two examination papers, alongside the probe being conducted by the Hawks.

“The Class of 2020, their teachers and their parents should take solace in CEM’s decision that the Mathematics Paper 2 and Physical Science Paper 2 will not be rewritten on 15 and 17 December 2020. Enjoy your Christmas and New Year’s break; rest and recharge for 2021; but you must observe all COVID-19  health, safety and social distancing protocols at all times,” said Minister Motshekga.

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has launched the Sand Water Extraction project to benefit the communities of Kuranta and Sekhiming Villages in Limpopo.

The project, undertaken in Mopani District Municipality is implemented by Lepelle Northern Water and meant to overcome water challenges experienced in the villages within the Mopani District Municipality.

Limpopo has been one of the provinces which have experienced severe droughts over the past years, leaving communities without safe drinking water.

The launch of the project is expected to bring much needed relief to the affected communities.

Molototsi River in Mopani District Municipality meets the typical characteristics of sand rivers where water is stored in the sand; quality is generally good due to frequent recharge and the filtering effect of the sand.

Speaking at the launch held in Sekhiming Village on Friday, Sisulu said she is grateful for all the cooperation received from the two spheres of government in Limpopo.

“This is a solution for rural areas struggling with water. We are looking for any solution that can be found to service the needs of our people. Without water there is no life,” Sisulu said.

Sisulu also thanked the Interim Board of Lepelle Northern Water (LNW), under the leadership of Interim Chairperson Joe Mathebula for its sterling leadership in ensuring that water is provided to drought areas of Limpopo.

Prior to the Sand Water Abstraction project launch, Sisulu had a meeting with various stakeholders of the Vhembe District Municipality where issues of water reticulation from Nandoni Dam and compensation of the families affected by the building of the dam were discussed.

During the meeting, Sisulu emphasised that Nandoni Dam must provide water to its immediate villages before other villages and towns.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has urged motorists to remain vigilant on the roads during this festive season following three major crashes this past weekend.

“They are urged to choose daytime driving and to keep their lights on at all times. Motorists are also warned to refrain from speeding and from driving under the influence of alcohol,” RTMC said on Sunday.

Nineteen people lost their lives during three accidents in the Free State, Limpopo and the Western Cape.

“A major crash where a single vehicle overturned occurred on Saturday, at approximately 8:10pm on the R719, 2 kilometres from Bultfontein towards Welkom in the Free State Province,” RTMC said.

Five persons were confirmed dead at the scene and a survivor was rushed to Hoopstad Hospital.

Reports indicate that a bakkie overturned when the driver lost control and veered off the road.

Another major crash occurred on Saturday at about 4pm on the R521 in Polokwane, Limpopo.

The crash involved a minibus taxi claiming seven lives. The cause of the crash is still unknown.

Another crash involving two sedans occurred on Sunday at approximately 4am on the R45 outside Hopefield in the Western Cape.

“One vehicle carried five adult occupants whilst the other carried seven occupants (three adults and four children). This accident claimed five lives and seven people sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals. The cause of the crash remains unknown at this stage,” RTMC said.

A Mamelodi Sundowns soccer player also died when the driver of his car lost control and crashed in Kempton Park.

Another occupant in the car died on the scene. The exact cause of the crash is under investigation.

South Africa has recorded 7 999 new COVID-19 cases while a 170 more people lost their lives, bringing the country’s total tally to 860 964 and the COVID-19 death toll to 23 276.

The Eastern Cape recorded 94 deaths, Free State 11, Gauteng 3, KwaZulu-Natal 4, Northern Cape 4 and Western Cape 54.

“We convey our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the health workers that treated the deceased,” said Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

The Eastern Cape had 148 528 positive cases, Free State 59 818, Gauteng 245 360, KwaZulu-Natal 141 372, Limpopo 19 303, Mpumalanga 32 297, North West 35 703, Northern Cape 23 732.

Recoveries now stand at 761 011 while a cumulative total of 5 859 178 tests have been completed with 39 423 new tests conducted since the last report.

According to the World Health Organisation there are 70 461 926 confirmed cases with 1 599 704 deaths worldwide.

With the cases rising in the country, President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address the nation tonight on developments in relation to the country’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The address follows meetings that took place on Sunday 13 December 2020, of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC), and a special sitting of Cabinet.

The exact time of the President’s address will be announced later today.

The address will be broadcast and streamed on a range of platforms accessible to South Africans and international audiences.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the South African public to once again use Reconciliation Day to reflect on how far the country has come in advancing national reconciliation.

The President made the plea on Monday in his latest weekly newsletter.

He said it is important for the country to deal “decisively” with the obstacles to reconciliation, which count among them the high levels of inequality and persistence of racist attitudes and practices.

“It is often difficult to explain to the younger generation of South Africans, who were born to freedom, that apartheid was both brutal and extraordinarily petty. It is difficult to explain the lengths to which the regime would go to keep the races apart, from banning interracial relationships, to creating separate bus stops, entrances to buildings, public toilets, to even segregating beaches,” wrote President Ramaphosa.

Of equal importance, is acknowledging just how “vastly different our country is today to what it was 26 years ago”.

“For every negative story of racism that makes the news, there are countless other positive stories of racial integration, communities living in harmony and social cohesion that do not generate headlines.”

Racial and class divisions, he said, remain very real in South Africa.

Fostering reconciliation

Last year’s National Reconciliation Barometer, which is published by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, noted that the optimism of respondents regarding racial unity was the highest since the inception of the study.

It also found that the majority of respondents believed race relations have improved since 1994.

President Ramaphosa said it is noteworthy that most South Africans report they would like to interact more often with people from other race groups but cite language and confidence as the two greatest barriers.

This is ahead of other perceived factors such as lack of common ground, anxiety, or negative prior experiences.

“It is obvious that true reconciliation is impossible unless we overcome the social and economic inequalities that persist in our society. It is only when the playing fields of opportunity are levelled and the lives of all South Africans improve that social cohesion will be strengthened,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said South Africans should at the same time not discount the important gestures in our everyday interactions that demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation between the races; and breaking language barriers is perhaps among the most important of them.

“Reconciliation is a weighty concept, and there may be many who are unsure as to what they can actually do to advance racial reconciliation. We may feel reticent to take the first step or to reach out, for fear of being judged or even rejected,” he said.

He urged the public to use Wednesday’s public holiday to think of the simple things they could do to reach out across the racial divide in their everyday lives, such as learning another South African language.

“We need to find ways to reach beyond our social and professional circles, to appreciate other people’s points of view. Through sporting, cultural and religious activities, we can find ways to interact with fellow South Africans from a diversity of backgrounds,” he said.

He urged South Africans to recognise that in addition to the fundamental changes “we need to make in the structure of our economy and society, reconciliation can be built through our every-day activities.”

“Madiba saw this in sport, for example, and demonstrated its great potential for nation-building.”

He added that the country’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic has shown that South Africans are at their best when they extend hands of solidarity and compassion to one another.

“Now, as we rebuild our society, let us place this spirit of generosity at the centre of our national character,” he said. “I wish you all a joyful and a meaningful Reconciliation Day.”