De Lille says whites should seek forgiveness

By Khanyisa Tabata
15 December 2009

Independent Democrats president Patricia de Lille says the Day of Reconciliation tomorrow is a day on which South Africans must remember the many people that gave their lives for the freedom of the country.

De Lille says we are a traumatized nation who still needs to define exactly who needs to make an effort towards reconciliation.

She says reconciliation is still extremely one-sided because there is a call on blacks to forgive whites for what happened in the past.

But there is no call on whites to reach out and seek forgiveness.

In her Reconciliation Day message, Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille says in spite of the many challenges we face, every South African should be proud of the progress we have made in overcoming the legacy of the past.

Zille calls on everyone to continue to foster tolerance and compassion.