Pretoria:President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to embrace and uphold the constitutional values of non-racialism, non-sexism, equality, democracy, and human dignity. He emphasized the importance of rejecting violence against women, xenophobia, and intolerance in society.

According to South African Government News Agency, in his weekly newsletter, President Ramaphosa reflected on the recent Heritage Day, which celebrates South Africa's diverse languages, traditions, and cultures. He recognized the celebration as a product of the democratic government, which aims to acknowledge past injustices and build a harmonious nation despite its diversity.

Ramaphosa stressed that South Africa's heritage should not only be celebrated but also defended. He condemned violence against women, describing it as a stain on the national conscience and incompatible with a society founded on freedom, equality, and human dignity.

The President also addressed xenophobia, acknowledging the support African nations provided during South Africa's liberation struggle. He reiterated that while migration should be managed within the law, everyone living in South Africa must respect its laws.

Racism, Ramaphosa declared, would never define the nation, which is committed to moving beyond the racial divisions of the apartheid era. He emphasized the need to continuously renew the choice to build a unified nation from its diverse peoples.

He clarified that measures designed to address racial exclusion cannot be equated with apartheid's racial oppression. Ramaphosa urged vigilance against actions that undermine national unity and promote division.

While the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, the President reminded citizens that this freedom comes with responsibility. He highlighted the dangers of public humiliation of women, inflammatory statements about foreign nationals, and language that encourages hostility.

Ramaphosa denounced the false claim of a 'white genocide,' arguing that spreading such falsehoods abroad is detrimental to South Africa's economic interests and national unity. He called on South Africans to renew their commitment to building the nation together, reaffirming the values enshrined in the Constitution as the foundation of their shared heritage and responsibility.