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This was one of many views that emerged on the second day of the social cohesion and nation building summit at historical site where the Freedom Charter was adopted - The Walter Sisulu Memorial Square in Kliptown in Soweto.

Views that emanated from the floor during commissions were that the country has been living a lie as there had never been the creation of a "new South Africa".

"We have not achieved it ... in fact we don't know ourselves and what it means to be South African culminates to xenophobia," said one delegate at a commission on national identity and unity.

He said the problem was exasperated by those who can't or simply refuse to sing the national anthem.

These sentiments were shared by president of Patriotism SA Khaya Seoketsa, who lamented on the "pathetic" way in which the national anthem had been sung.

Seoketsa blamed this lack of patriotism to leaders who chose to speak English at official gatherings, which made people feel their languages were inferior.

Radio and TV presenter Penny Lebyane said language embodied ones culture and values.

She said the problem was that people were speaking in different tones mingled with jargons that no one can relate to.

Issues of religion were not spared, as some people felt there was intolerance with judgement being passed against those who criticised certain cultures or held certain beliefs.

Miller Mathola, who was a responded at the commission, said there was a need for a quintessential South African identity which can attract investments and tourism.

Mathola said while the country may have sound policies, a reputation could set the country backwards.

Government would sign a declaration to unite the country, as confirmation of the importance placed on building a non-racial society.

The summit was attended by hundreds of delegates from government and civil organisations. - nhlabathih@sowetan.co.za

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Mon May 20 10:15:14 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 6, 2012

WakeUpSouthAfrica

And meanwhile we have fools in the ANC shouting anti-cohesive remarks. At least Manyi has been fired, but thats the 1st name in a long line of tools. And today, I will be called an imperialist/slave master at least once.
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Jul 6, 2012

MommaC

Nobody in SA speaks English anyhow. In fact nobody in SA speaks a pure language. Maybe we should all just speak Fanagalo and get it over and done with.

Ministers speak in English? What do they want them to speak? Xitsonga? Then most of us wouldn't understand a word!
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Jul 6, 2012

ApelMankotsana

It is true that we are living under a "lie" that South Africa is a united, non-sexist, non-racial country. This was the message spurned to foster the concept of reconciliation but it did not work...How many seminars/conferences/workshops were organised mainly by our White community were the theme was "reconciliation or social cohesion" ? NONE. All the seminars/conferences/workshops about reconciliation and social cohesion have been and are still been organised by our Black community. Reconciliaion is one-sided. Only Blacks are willing to reconcile and Whites have nothing to do with it.
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Jul 6, 2012

DJWinner

ApelMankotsana
It is true that we are living under a "lie" that South Africa is a united, non-sexist, non-racial country. This was the message spurned to foster the concept of reconciliation but it did not work...How many seminars/conferences/workshops were organised mainly by our White community were the theme was "reconciliation or social cohesion" ? NONE. All the seminars/conferences/workshops about reconciliation and social cohesion have been and are still been organised by our Black community. Reconciliaion is one-sided. Only Blacks are willing to reconcile and Whites have nothing to do with it.
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Thank you....
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Jul 6, 2012

DjEp

Our leadership is continuing to divide us. This country doesnt need a political solution but a leadership solution.
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Jul 6, 2012

Nwanawamukalaha

ApelMankotsana
It is true that we are living under a "lie" that South Africa is a united, non-sexist, non-racial country. This was the message spurned to foster the concept of reconciliation but it did not work...How many seminars/conferences/workshops were organised mainly by our White community were the theme was "reconciliation or social cohesion" ? NONE. All the seminars/conferences/workshops about reconciliation and social cohesion have been and are still been organised by our Black community. Reconciliaion is one-sided. Only Blacks are willing to reconcile and Whites have nothing to do with it.
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Wouldn't have said that better............... Our ANC leaders are still worshipping the wh!te master that's why there no sense of urgency from them wh!tes to contribute towards this cohesion k@k thing.
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Jul 6, 2012

MommaC

ApelMankotsana

How many seminars/conferences/workshops have made a blind bit of difference?

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Jul 6, 2012

DJWinner

@Nwanawamukalaha...and the poor will remain poor, while the richer continues to get rich. So, this whole thing is just crap.
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Jul 6, 2012

CharlesTaylor

Even in the office I work in, only black employees always tries to forge relationship with white employees. Whites, especially females, really don't see their black colleagues as equal or worth the same as them, even our bosses (black) treat white employees better than black employees, colonization is still leaving among us.
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Jul 6, 2012

Mbelewolwazi

The problem with our leaders is that they are all talk but no action. As you know the mouth can buy an aeroplane and a mention.Where there happens to be action there is no follow up and evalution programmes to gauge successes and failures. People are put in positions which are at the level of their incompetence and there are no compulsory programmes to upgrade them. It is not that there are no competent people but they are ignored as they are regarded as a threat to the ignorant supervisors. We are caught up in a period where the face counts more than what the person can offer in terms of efficiency. We want to please individuals instead of looking out for the majority of the people. We are always looking for quick fixes which only deal with the symptoms of the problems and for some reason blind to the reality that we have to deal with the root causes in order to get everlasting solutions. Why other people can see the obvious while the people who are well positioned to make things happen are blind to reality? Is it deliberate or there is some supernatural influence at play here? Somebody please help me to know and understand. May be I am not thinking straight like a mad person who thinks everybody else is insane but him.
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