ANC President Jacob Zuma says those embracing racism and those who are racist live in the past.
He called on South Africans to work together to eradicate racism in the country.
“It is clear that there is a minority in our country that still harbours a desire to separate our communities and who idolise apartheid-era leaders. These people don’t represent the true character of the new South Africa,” he told thousands of people attending the party’s 104th anniversary celebrations in Rustenburg on Saturday.
“They are living in the past. The ANC has historically pursued the idea of non-racialism as a South African reality. In this regard, we call on all the people of this country to work together and defeat the demons of racism and tribalism.”
Zuma said they would ensure they eradicated racism in full to ensure a better society for all. He said the ANC had put in laws to prevent discrimination in all its forms.
The country started the year on a sour note when various Facebook posts and tweets with racial undertones made the rounds, causing an uproar.
Zuma urges citizens to expose corruption
“We all have a responsibility to fight corruption and expose corruption and expose corrupt people and report them to law enforcement,” he said while delivering an executive summary of the ANC’s January 8th statement at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
Speaking to ANC supporters, Zuma said the party’s policies and tradition had to be the touchstone of their daily lives.
“We must unite all people of South Africa, black and white. There is enough room in the ANC for everyone.”
He said there was no place for factionalism, patronage, power arrogance, slate politics or any other divisive practices in the ANC.
The party celebrated its 104th anniversary on Friday.
“The ANC appreciates what a momentous achievement it is to… lead our society, to be vibrant and present and still be the movement that represents the interest and aspirations of the vast majority of the people of South Africa,” said Zuma. – News24