South Africa marks Social Cohesion Month (SCM) annually in July alongside Nelson Mandela Month. Whilst Madiba’s leadership laid the foundation for democracy, lasting social cohesion requires a continued national commitment to overcoming historical divisions and ensuring dignity, equality and opportunity. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) continues to drive social cohesion in schools through the Social Cohesion and Equity in Education Directorate This year, the DBE joined partners: AVBOB; the Department of Correctional Services; Makopo Holdings; Blue Ribbon; Milo; Absa; the Baithudi Mampane Foundation; the Habesha Community; Pedros; Blueweb; SAMPRA; MTN; Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD); and TUTfm to carry out a commemorative event for Nelson Mandela Month at Laerskool Eben Swemmer in Gezina on 22 July 2026.

The Care and Support for Teaching and Learning (CSTL) Programme, initiated by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), aims to protect the educational rights of all children, including those who are most vulnerable, through ensuring that all schools are inclusive centres offering a comprehensive support system to overcome education barriers and socio-economic challenges such as poverty; violence; bullying; Gender-Based Violence (GBV); and substance abuse. Health issues, such as mental health concerns; suicide; early pregnancies; and HIV & AIDS, also pose significant education hurdles. CSTL and Sexual and Reproductive Health provisions are strategies that bolster the protection of learners, enabling the Department to forge partnerships with sister departments such as Social Development, Health, and Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.

Mr Likho Bottoman, Director for Social Cohesion and Equity in Education, explained that “issues of race, cultural, religious, gender and sexual diversity cannot be underplayed. Our intention is to sensitise children on issues such as racism; discrimination; xenophobia; homophobia; and related intolerances, which often fuel incidences of GBV and bullying, but also the cultivation of values enshrined in the Constitution through human rights education to contribute to the building of responsible citizens and constitutional literacy, whilst deepening respect for diversity, equity and freedom towards social cohesion and nation building. With the necessary guidance in schools, learners are being empowered to take charge of their future, understand their democratic rights and build a cohesive nation”.

This year marks several significant milestones in South Africa’s democratic history, which will be commemorated under the Milestones of Freedom Campaign. The Campaign was launched at the Union Buildings on 18 June 2026, under the theme: “Honouring the Past. Delivering the Future”. The Campaign will commemorate the following significant milestones: the 70th anniversary commemoration of the 1956 Women’s March; the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution; the 50th year, the golden jubilee commemoration of the 1976 youth uprising; and the 25th anniversary of the Democratic Local Government and the Year of Service Delivery Acceleration.

The role that the education sector plays in nation building is carried forward through meaningful difference in schools and communities. These seminal moments in our history are a reminder of the road we have travelled to attain democracy and freedom.  They remind us that despite notable progress, the journey continues and that this new generation must now lead in ensuring a better tomorrow for everyone for a society built on constitutional values.