The issue of social cohesion and the challenges we need to confront as part of the construction of a cohesive nation in the building of a national democratic society

National Assembly Cape Town: 25 October 2007  

For a country subjected to the indignity and divisiveness of slavery, colonialism and apartheid, South Africa emerged from our own "dark ages" as a deeply divided society along race, class, ethnic, gender and cultural lines at the dawn of democracy. 

The successful negotiations process and the peaceful transition to a constitutional democracy did much to bridge these divides as did the efforts of former President Mandela at nation-building and reconciliation. 

We have come a long way in only 13 years to forge a nation of sorts and some form of social cohesion, but we still have a long road ahead of us with many formidable challenges to overcome. 

When I read the topic for today's debate, I wondered what the Hon Frolick meant by "social cohesion". As I am not much of a mind-reader, I consulted the Internet and found the following definition from Canada. 

"Social Cohesion is the ongoing process of developing a community of shared values, shared challenges and equal opportunities, based on a sense of trust, hope and reciprocity". 

This is indeed a lofty ideal to aspire to. It is even more so when one considers the great variety of cultures, languages, customs and traditions to be found in South Africa. All of these are of course protected in our Constitution. 

This begs the question: Is social cohesion attainable, or is it even desirable for those communities that want to protect their identities, cultures, traditions and languages? 

Be it as it may, there are formidable challenges to building social cohesion in South Africa. I want to highlight just three of them. 

First, the continued existence of racism, sexism, inequality and discrimination. 

Second, the widening gap between the haves and the have nots; almost exclusively defined by race.

 Third, the insensitivity and borderline disdain with which the ANC treats the history, culture and language of minority groups and communities. 

I also have to question whether the ANC is playing a positive role in building social cohesion when its members threaten to withdraw the passports of our national rugby team because of a lack of transformation? 

Or, when the majority party uses only its heroes for changes to placenames and streetnames? 

Or, when they deliberately distort history by claiming that they were the only organisation to fight for national liberation? 

Is the ANC not, by its recent actions and pronouncements putting back the building of social cohesion? 

Madame Speaker, 

The IFP believes that it is time to turn the clock back just a little bit in order to move forward. We have to go back to 1994 and rediscover the values that bound us together then. We must show renewed respect for the rights enshrined in the Constitution. 

We must respect our diversity and not fear it. At the same time, we must recommit ourselves to the principle that South Africa belongs to all its people and that we must all commit to the ongoing process of developing a community of shared values, shared challenges and equal opportunities, based on a sense of ubuntu, trust, hope and reciprocity. 

The IFP believes that ubuntu must be the foundation for building social cohesion. The philosophy of ubuntu will ensure that social cohesion can be created and can survive. 

Thank you.