15th December 2009

As South Africans we will once again on December 16 commemorate Reconciliation Day. As a Nation we will once again reflect on the state of "unity in diversity" 15 years into our freedom and democracy, and determine whether progress towards reconciliation has been achieved or not. 

SADESMO National Spokesperson, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, today noted that South Africans remained very much at odds with reconciliation, as societal behaviour was still race and colour centered. 

Hlengwa said: "December 16, 2009 comes as a bitter-sweet day of reflection because on the one hand, as a nation, we all ought to make the difficult confession that we have failed dismally to address the long outstanding issues of reconciliation; and on the other hand we have been offered an all important opportunity to revive the reconciliation debate, which will demand of all of us to rise above petty politics and objectively deal with racism and the effects of apartheid." 

2009 has proven to be a year that has tested the strength of our unity and reconciliation status. 

"The upset caused by the Jansen pronouncements about the Reitz 4 and more recently the bizarre debate pertaining to the Ukweshwama ritual tell a story of a nation which is very much at odds with unity and reconciliation. SADESMO challenges all South Africans to learn about the cultural and traditional ways of others and importantly to respect and tolerate those ways," Hlengwa said. 

He further added: "The reality of the matter is that reconciliation must be viewed and understood as an ongoing process, which all South Africans must actively participate in. We no longer need to be simply theoretical about reconciliation, but rather we need a pro-active, hands-on and practical approach." 

There are many factors which have contributed - some of which continue to do so - to the ill health of our reconciliation agenda, however, "the point of departure is that we need to come to terms with the realities of apartheid, for it is that dreaded monster that has landed us in this mess to begin with. But parallel to that we must admit that Tutu's Truth and Reconciliation Commission was largely a dismal and shameful failure, in that it merely absolved people of their criminal sins, but never addressed the challenges of reconciliation. It is a sad reality of our history that the reconciliation process faltered, at the hands of a man of the cloth," Hlengwa said. 

Hlengwa further noted that: "It is also because the ANC has failed with flying colours to be truthful about the struggle, in that it assumes that it single-handedly brought about the demise of apartheid. 

Yet history is clear in that the struggle was a collective and joint effort of many role-players. And if we are serious about reconciliation then we must abandon lies and half truths, it is high-time we call a spade a spade!" 

In conclusion Hlengwa said: "As SADESMO we are fully and readily committed to ensuring that the message of reconciliation resonates throughout South Africa. We will advocate for the all important IFP values of solidarity, unity in diversity and freedom which seek to unify us as Nation. We must arrive at our desired destination of a prosperous Nation as united, reconciled and proud citizens of our country. The attainment of reconciliation rests on the shoulders of all South Africans." 

SADESMO: Education for Liberation-Education for Life! 

Statement issued by Sadesmo.
Mkhuleko Hlengwa
SADESMO: Media & Publicity Officer/ National Spokesperson
083 871 2711/ 073 166 7904