JOHANNESBURG - Opening the summit, President Jacob Zuma lauded the founders of the Freedom Charter as visionaries who envisaged a united and non-racial society.

“This clarion call by that generation of visionaries and freedom fighters was in direct contrast to the views of those who conceptualised and established the Union of South Africa in 1910,” Zuma said.

Democratic Alliance leader and Western Cape Premier Helen Zille said the only way to achieve an inclusive society and social cohesion was by extending opportunities to South Africans.

She said social cohesion cannot be imposed on society, adding that no government can, by itself, ‘‘create’’ a cohesive society, or foist a common culture upon a passive populace.

President Zuma urged the summit to develop a National Strategy on Social Cohesion and Nation Building.

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said the black majority finds themselves being a cultural minority in SA, with most African languages being “undermined”.

musam@citizen.co.za