Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma on Thursday announced that this year’s Human Rights Day will be dedicated to confronting racism.
The announcement comes after incidents of racism were witnessed recently in the country.
Delivering his State of the Nation Address, President Zuma said Human Rights Day will be used to lay the foundation for a long-term programme of building a non-racial society.
He said the recent incidents of racism have shaken the nation and caused untold pain and anger.
“The Constitution, which has its foundation in the Freedom Charter, proclaims that South Africa belongs to all who live in it. A lot has been done to promote inclusion and a non-racial society.
“However, the journey to a non-racial society has not yet been completed,” President Zuma said.
Furthermore, a committee has been established to coordinate the participation of South Africa’s performing arts legends in nation building activities in the country.
The Living Legends committee will be chaired by playwright Welcome Msomi as well as music icon Letta Mbulu, as deputy chairperson.
Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa recently convened two conventions on nation building, social cohesion and reconciliation.
The convections were aimed at charting a way forward for the development of national plans to build social cohesion, combat racism and eradicate discrimination in South Africa.
Click here for the President's full speech. – SAnews.gov.za
