Mashatile encouraged citizens to use the Christmas period to strengthen family bonds, care for the vulnerable, and extend kindness to those in need, particularly communities facing economic hardship.

He acknowledged the sacrifices made by frontline workers including police officers, healthcare professionals, emergency services, and essential workers who remain on duty during the holidays to keep the country safe and functioning.

The Deputy President urged road users to travel responsibly, obey traffic laws, and prioritise safety to prevent unnecessary loss of life during the festive season.

Mashatile also called for restraint, respect, and tolerance, reminding South Africans that social cohesion and mutual respect remain vital to building a stable and prosperous nation.

He concluded by wishing all South Africans a joyous Christmas and expressed hope for a renewed sense of unity, peace, and progress in the year ahead.

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I fully support calls for the South African government to take stronger and more decisive action to rescue and protect the women, children, and all civilians affected by this brutal conflict. Their right to safety, dignity, and life itself is non-negotiable. South Africa must act with courage, urgency, and unwavering moral clarity.

I salute the extraordinary work of Gift of the Givers under Dr Imtiaz Sooliman. Their compassion, tireless effort, and bravery in the face of human suffering are a beacon of hope in a world that too often turns a blind eye. Those who are able to donate or assist Gift of the Givers must do so. Every contribution brings warmth, relief, and life-saving support to people who have lost everything.

We must also remember the historic solidarity of the Palestinian people with our own struggle. During the darkest days of apartheid, Yasser Arafat, as leader of the PLO, stood with South Africa, offering support and guidance when the oppressors sought to crush our people. He also guided Nelson Mandela on the importance of standing with the Palestinian people, teaching us that the fight for justice and humanity knows no borders.

The legacy of Nelson Mandela reminds us that silence in the face of oppression is betrayal. We must act now, with heart and courage, to ensure that those fleeing war are given safety, dignity, and hope. South Africa must continue to lead by example, offering sanctuary and practical support to those in desperate need.

The children of Gaza are crying out for help. The women are seeking shelter from bombs. They are not alone. We stand with Palestine. We stand with the refugees. We stand for justice and humanity.

Mayibuye Melisizwe Mandela

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Authorities confirmed that 71 people were massacred on Monday during a funeral gathering in Nyoto, while 18 more lives were cut short in a separate assault in Beni the following day. Both tragedies struck the North Kivu province, where violence has become a devastating routine.

The attackers, linked to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an extremist group with ties to the Islamic State, have intensified their assaults in recent weeks. Despite ongoing joint military operations by Congolese and Ugandan forces, the rebels continue to strike villages and towns, leaving destruction and trauma in their wake.

The government says it is stepping up efforts to support survivors and restore security, vowing to keep dismantling rebel bases and rescuing hostages. But for many, hope feels fragile.

Analysts warn that while military offensives have weakened the group in some areas, they have also forced fighters to scatter into smaller, unpredictable units. This has created a deadly pattern of surprise attacks on vulnerable communities.

For families burying their loved ones, the violence is not just numbers on a page—it is the loss of mothers, fathers, children, and neighbors. In villages across North Kivu, mourning has become part of daily life.

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