Debate sparked over race classifications

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa's comments on government's position regarding race-based terminology in official records has ignited debate over the country's progress in redressing the injustices of the past.

- JASON WOOSEY and SIMON MAJADIBODU

Ramaphosa said that while the long-term goal was to create a society where people were not divided by historical race, the use of such classifications remained a difficult but necessary part of the country's transition from its apartheid past to a future of equality.

The president was responding to questions from members of the National Assembly on Tuesday, particularly the Patriotic Alliance's Marlon Daniels, who asked why coloured, Indian, Khoisan and white people were not classified as African.

He said that, while problematic, the continued use of these terms remains essential for tracking the country's progress in addressing historical and structural inequality.

"Until we have reached our goal of equality for all people in our country, there will be circumstances when we need to use such terminology," Ramaphosa said.