New Year’s Eve Is a Time To Reflect on 2021 Says President Ramaphosa in Message to South Africa

• President Cyril Ramaphosa has made a New Year's Eve speech addressing South Africa ahead of 2022
• Ramaphosa congratulated South Africans on uniting throughout the Covid-19 pandemic despite their individual struggles
• The president took the opportunity to urge unvaccinated South Africans to get vaccinated as soon as they can

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has made a New Year's Eve speech addressing South Africa. In his address, Ramaphosa urges South Africans to take the time to reflect on 2021.

Ramaphosa congratulated South Africans on uniting throughout the Covid-19 pandemic despite their individual struggles during the period. The president added that people should be thankful as they move into 2022.

“As we greet the New Year, we know that better times are on the horizon – notwithstanding the difficulties of 2021.

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We have much to be thankful for: the strength of our democracy, this year we held another free and fair local government election, we celebrated 25 years since the signing of or constitution," Ramaphosa said.

What Ramaphosa's message included

According to SABC News, Ramaphosa said that while South Africans are taking his recommendation to reflect on 2021, they should also remember those that have passed away this year, such as the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

Speaking of the Covid-19 pandemic, the president gave a special mention to healthcare workers in his New Year's Eve address. Ramaphosa thanked them for their tireless work in 2021, both in treating infected patients and assisting in the vaccine rollout.

He took the opportunity to urge unvaccinated South Africans to get vaccinated as soon as they can so that they can access the protection that it offers, News24 reports. Ramaphosa reiterated that the vaccine has been proven to prevent hospitalisation and death from the coronavirus and its variants.

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South Africa reacts to the president's speech

Comfort Jombe remarked:

"He should read his speeches before his address so he can add soul to his words."

Loyiso Malobola believes:

"Out of touch and always saying what he thinks people want to hear, especially the apolitical and those lacking political consciousness."

Becarefull Sure said:

"Thank you Mr President. Have a wonderful new year!"

Christine Van Der Merwe requested:

"Please take away the masks."

City of Joburg residents warned not to buy or sell illegal fireworks for New Year's Eve celebrations

Speaking of New Year's Eve, Briefly News recently reported that Joburg residents have been warned that they should not be tempted to use illegal fireworks on New Year's Eve or they will get locked up if caught.

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) issued this serious warning ahead of the end-of-the-year festivities on Twitter in the early hours of 31 December.

The JMPD stated that law enforcement officials will be out in their numbers to ensure there is law and order while people celebrate. The department is trying to avoid incidents in which elderly people and animals are left traumatised by the people making use of illegal firearms.

Source: Briefly News