President Zuma to speak at Reconciliation Day in North West
President Jacob Zuma will lead the celebrations of the national Reconciliation Day in Gopane near Zeerust in North West on Friday amid shocking pockets of racial tension in the country.
It commemorates the bravery of women in 1957 in Zeerust, who revolted against the hated pass laws in the villages of Dinokana, Lekgopung and Motswedi. The women refused to collect their passbooks from mobile units.
“We salute the women of Gopane village in Zeerust who organised a march against pass laws, also in 1957. Their actions illustrate the active participation of women in the struggle for liberation, not only in urban areas but in rural areas as well. This serves as an inspiration as we continue building a new nation, founded on the values of human rights, justice and equality,” Zuma said ahead of the celebration.
The commemoration would be held under the theme “Bridging the Divide Towards a Non-Racial Society”.