Premier Sihle Zikalala calls on citizens to support government’s efforts aimed at advancing social cohesion, peace and nation-building

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala made an emphatic plea to citizens in the province to overcome inequality and material conditions that divide society across racial lines by drawing lessons from the July riots so that we emerge stronger and united.

Premier Zikalala was speaking today, during the Heritage Month and Social Cohesion programme in Northdale, Pietermaritzburg which was one of the areas that was adversely affected by racial tensions during the civil unrest two-months ago.

This year, Heritage Month is being celebrated under the theme: “The year of Charlotte Maxeke: Celebrating South Africa's Intangible Cultural Heritage”.

In line with the theme, Premier Zikalala said peace, justice, and freedom must reign in the year of Charlotte Maxeke.

“It was tragic and heart wrenching to see Northdale descend to the levels of violence in July. Like what happened in Phoenix, we were truly heartbroken to see the violence that was directed at a poor black community. We learned that in the aftermath of burning of people’s homes, no less than four people lost their lives.

Once more, we convey our deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this unacceptable act of violence. Just as we said about Phoenix murders and others in the country, the law must take its full course and justice must be served,” said Premier Zikalala.

The Premier reflected on the meeting that was attended by the exemplary Peace and Development Committee comprising residents from Northdale communities that were in conflict which was aimed at fostering social cohesion, reconciliation and peace.

“It was clear that there is a need to bring dignity to the informal settlement residents by building them proper houses and to provide them with basic services like water and electricity.

We welcome the message from the residents of Northdale who are emphatic that they want to live side by side in peace with the residents from the informal settlement. Through continuous talks, people from both sides are now able to find each other. They now understand each other's plight,” said Premier Zikalala.

Premier Zikalala also said peace must be the foundation of the province’s economic reconstruction and recovery plan.

“The communities of Imbali and Northdale fought side by side against apartheid colonialism to usher a new South Africa founded on unity, non-racialism, non-sexism, equality, and prosperity. Side by side, we fought for a South Africa founded on justice, the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution.

As we forge this new society, we must be informed by the constitutional values and Bill of Rights. Our Constitution enjoins all of us to honour human dignity, the right to life, and to heal the wounds of the past.

“We must draw lessons from the July riots and be united that we must all be peace ambassadors, that there is no place for wanton violence, destruction of property, and preventable loss of life for the people of KwaZulu-Natal. We must be united that all those who sow seeds of division, anarchy, and instigate violence must face the full might of the law.

We must never allow our province to return to the deadly violence of the eighties and the nineties. That violence created orphans and widows and our people still carry their scars. In all that we do, peace must be our way.

“We call on the communities of Northdale, Phoenix and Chatsworth and other areas that they must not allow recent events to divide them. The civil unrest must be used to rebuild a new society, a new nation and new KwaZulu-Natal.

These communities must learn to play together by organising sporting activities, exchange programmes between the schools in these communities so that the children will learn to live, work and play together”, said Premier Zikalala.

Province

Share this page

Similar categories to explore