On 16 December the nation will celebrate Reconciliation Day to continue our drive to foster greater unity and nation-building. This day continues to be of great significance given our socio-historical background, and continuing divisions based on race, gender inequality, ethnicity, language, culture, and economic segregation.

Each year we have an opportunity to reach out to one another to deal with our past, reconcile and build a new nation. Our goal as South Africans should be to promote inclusive nation-building and social cohesion. Together we must deepen community and societal conversations and seek to understand each other and our diversity.

Moreover, we must stand together to fight social ills facing our country such as Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. We must also do more to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic does not further entrench divisions.