Cyril Ramaphosa and the LGBTQIA+ flag

“We are with you. And I am with you as well” Cyril Ramaphosa to the LGBTQIA+ Community. Photo: Pexels/Canva

3 Quotes from Cyril Ramaphosa that shined a light on the LGBTQ community

These are the three times Cyril Ramaphosa shined a light on LGBTQ issues despite there not being many actions that have followed his promises.

Cyril Ramaphosa and the LGBTQIA+ flag

“We are with you. And I am with you as well” Cyril Ramaphosa to the LGBTQIA+ Community. Photo: Pexels/Canva

Ramaphosa’s presidential campaign and presidency rested on the idea of unity for the country, for the ANC, and for marginalised groups such as the LGBTQ community.

But his presidency has been one with a lot of plans but very little action.

Here are three quotes from Ramphosa shining some light on the LGBTQ community:

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LGBTQ: BEFORE HIS PRESIDENCY

Cyril Ramaphosa even before his presidency had already made it his mission to speak out about issues facing the LGBTQ community, one of his most memorable quotes was in 2017.

He specifically addressed the suffering of the LGBTQ community, mentioning the “discrimination, violence and abuse” the community has to endure in South Africa. In his speech he said:

“It is a sad truth that in our nation the LGBTQ community are amongst the most vulnerable and marginalised. They suffer discrimination, violence and abuse … Every South African must hold themselves, our communities, our institutions and our government accountable for upholding our laws and for protecting the rights of all in South Africa.

Cyril Ramaphosa in 2017

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LGBTQ: DURING HIS PRESIDENCY

In 2021 during a Freedom Day celebrations platform in Botshabelo, in the Free State Ramaphosa took the opportunity to address the issue of hate crimes against the LGTQIA+ community.

“I want to send a strong message that hate crime will not be tolerated in our society and that those who are behind these crimes will be found and brought to book. Nobody has the right to take the life of and abuse someone else because of their sexual orientation. No one has that right at all.”

Cyril Ramphosa in 2021 – Freedom Day

Hate crimes against the LGBQTIA+ community still continue in South Africa and very little is being done to punish the perpetrators or protect the LGBTQIA+ community.

Cyril Ramaphosa and LGBTQIA+ community
“It is a sad truth that in our nation the LGBTI community is amongst the most vulnerable and marginalised.” Cyril Rampahosa 2017. Photo: AFP

‘I AM WITH YOU…’ SPEECH

In March 2022, Cyril Ramaphosa made a passionate speech in the North West Province at the Human Rights Day celebration, in his speech he boldly proclaimed that he is with the LGBTQIA+ community.

This comes after a series of killings of people in the LGBTQIA+ community in the country. This is what he said in his speech:

“We need to ensure that we act against those forms of violence. We must be clear about that. And we would like to say [to] the LGBTQI+ community, I’d like to say to them, [that] they are not alone. You are not alone and we will walk this journey with you…“We are with you. And I am with you as well. The struggle for an end to violence, to discrimination and to hate against the LGBTQI+ community must end and it must end now.”

Cyril Ramaphosa in 2022 – Human Rights Day Celebrations

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