In a press release on its latest meeting last week, the Council of Ministers stressed that South Africans must not allow false narratives to divide them, as common history ‘has shown that there is no challenge that we cannot overcome when we unite.’

“We are called to stand up for the love for our country, which is rooted in our democratic values of non-racism, tolerance, compassion, peace, justice, equality, freedom and human dignity,” the Cabinet said in the text.

The Government also reaffirmed that based on South Africa’s historic struggle for justice, the nation cannot remain indifferent to the human rights violations being perpetrated around the world.

In the communiqué, Cabinet reiterated President Cyril Ramaphosa’s firm stance in his State of the Nation Address, in which he emphasized that South Africa would not be intimidated or coerced by external pressures.

Separately, the Cabinet stated that it had taken note of the 90-day withdrawal of funding of various programs by the Government of the United States and its implications for South Africa, particularly in the HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis programs.

The Cabinet wishes to assure all South Africans that the Government will not allow a situation that directly affects the participation of needy citizens in that health program.

When reporting on its most recent working session, The Cabinet noted South Africa’s commitment to ensuring stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and called for a diplomatic solution to ensure stability in the DRC while protecting the welfare of the Congolese people.

The Cabinet reaffirmed that South Africa would continue to play its role as a peacekeeping mission in the DRC.

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