South African society remains divided and not all have embraced the concept of national unity, President Thabo Mbeki said at Reconciliation Day celebrations in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Much progress has been made to reconcile and reconstruct the country, he told more than 2 000 revellers gathered on the lawns of the historic Union Buildings for a day of festivities.
”But I think we also need to admit this: that much remains to be done,” Mbeki said.
”Our society remains divided. Not all have embraced this vision of national unity and not all of us have understood the importance of the challenge of reconstruction.”
It is time, the president said, for all South Africans to enter into a people’s contract for the betterment of the country.
”We must say that so long as millions of our people remain poor, so long will that constitute a challenge to the goal of national reconciliation and national unity,” he said.
The same applies to other challenges such as racism, sexism, violence against women and children, joblessness and homelessness.
”We are making progress. We have laid a firm foundation on which to build,” Mbeki said.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that heroes of the struggle against apartheid — those ”to whom we owe the new South Africa being born” — are properly recognised and honoured.
”Among us there are people still, when you talk about Albert Luthuli, who will say: ‘Albert who?”’
A lot of work remains to be done in this regard, Mbeki said.
An important part of deepening and strengthening democracy, he added, is the holding of free and fair elections. To this end, it is essential for all South Africans to vote next year.
”This is critically important for our future, for us to do the things we need to do.”
He earlier signed a declaration for nation building and reconciliation with representatives of various interest groups.
The crowd gathered at the foot of the Union Buildings were treated to a variety of performances since 9am, including traditional African signing and dancing, poetry recitals and a rendition by Vicky Sampson of her well-known song My African Dream.
The performances were held on a massive stage flanked by two huge television screens. Several marquee tents were erected around the grounds, catering for a variety of culinary tastes.
Large banners were erected everywhere, reading: ”Freedom wasn’t free”.
Organisers expected about 20 000 people to attend the celebrations.
The event was organised by the Freedom Park Trust, headed by poet Wally Serote.
After the formalities, the crowd was treated to a six-hour music concert. — Sapa