Speeches

Remarks by Ms Mt Khubayi, MP, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, on the occasion of the hosting of an Anti-Racism Dialogue (Video Recording) hosted by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, under the theme of: “Building a Non-Racial Society: Together working for Equality and Advancing Human Rights” – Friday, 28 March 2025

Programme Director,
Esteemed Guests,
All Speakers,
Panellists, and
Moderator,
Good day, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me begin by extending my sincere apologies for my inability to be physically present with you today due to unforeseen circumstances.

I am, however, grateful for the power of technology that enables us to engage in this critical dialogue, uniting voices from across our nation and beyond to confront the enduring scourge of racism and advance the fight for justice and equality.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The South African government remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicating racism and fostering a society built on the principles of democracy, social justice, and human dignity.

Our history serves as both a painful reminder and a call to action, a call that we must answer with unwavering determination.

This dialogue is not just about reflection; it is about action. It is about ensuring that the brutal events of our past, such as the Sharpeville Massacre of 21 March 1960, where 69 peaceful protesters were gunned down by the apartheid regime for opposing oppressive pass laws, and the 1985 Kariega Massacre, where at least 20 people were killed, never happen again.

These atrocities galvanized global condemnation, leading to the designation of 21 March as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination by the United Nations. Our nation must continue to use these memories as fuel to drive systemic change, holding firm to the ideals of justice and equality that so many sacrificed their lives for.

Dignitaries, Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we commemorate 60 years since the adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and 70 years of the Freedom Charter, we must take stock of our progress and the work that lies ahead. The African Union’s 2025 theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” resonates deeply with our continued pursuit of social justice and racial healing.

The past three decades of democracy in South Africa have been marked by legislative strides to dismantle systemic racism. Through instruments such as Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, Employment Equity policies, and the establishment of Equality Courts, we have sought to level the playing field.

Yet, despite these legal frameworks, racism persists in many forms, intersecting with gender, class, and poverty. This stark reality demands that we move beyond legal reforms to fundamentally shift societal attitudes and behaviours.

The government has committed itself to a comprehensive rights-based approach, as reflected in our Medium-Term Strategic Framework. This Government of National Unity will continue to strengthen constitutional and human rights literacy, combat poverty and unemployment, and deepen our commitment to social cohesion. However, government alone cannot shoulder this responsibility.

The fight against racism requires the concerted efforts of all sectors, civil society, academia, the private sector, and ordinary citizens. Collaboration is no longer optional; it is imperative.

Programme Director,
The racial divisions that haunt our nation will not dissipate without direct confrontation. We must empower ourselves, individually, institutionally, and nationally, to eradicate racism in all its manifestations. It is unacceptable that our children still experience racial prejudice in schools and communities, perpetuating the very discrimination that so many lost their lives resisting. The trauma of our past cannot be allowed to define our future.

The National Action Plan to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance (NAP) serves as our roadmap in this fight.

The Department continues to drive initiatives to ensure the full implementation of the NAP, feeding into continental and global efforts aimed at fostering racial healing.

However, implementation alone is not enough. We must address the disconnect between legal frameworks and social behaviours.

In the coming year, we will conduct an audit of the Equality Courts to assess their effectiveness in tackling racial discrimination. I urge you to contribute your institutional knowledge and lived experiences so that we may refine our approach and strengthen our tools for justice.

At its core, Ubuntu, the recognition of our shared humanity, must guide us.

It is disheartening that this foundational value has not yet fully translated into a truly inclusive and tolerant society. This dialogue must confront the systemic and structural barriers that impede our journey toward a non-racial South Africa.

We must be bold in identifying solutions that bridge our historical divides and build lasting social cohesion.

Programme Director, Ladies and Gentlemen,
While I regret that I cannot be with you in person for this dialogue due to pressing government responsibilities, I assure you that our collective mission to eradicate racism remains a top priority.

We will continue to engage in dialogues, stakeholder engagements, and policy actions that advance this cause.

Let us use this opportunity to engage meaningfully, reflect deeply, and commit to tangible actions that will heal the divisions of the past and propel us toward a future defined by unity, equality, and justice.

I wish you well in your deliberations.

I thank you.