As South Africa entered the new year, we were confronted by two profound events that reminded us, in different ways, of what brings us together as a people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the first day of 2022, the nation gathered in spirit to bid farewell to Archbishop Desmond Tutu at St George\u2019s Cathedral in Cape Town. It was a moment of great sadness as we recalled the life and contribution of a beloved compatriot who was, in many ways, the moral conscience of our nation. At the same time, his funeral was a celebration of the values he stood for. It was a celebration of the great unity and diversity of our people, and a reminder of the sacrifices made by so many to achieve our democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the second day of 2022, the country watched on in horror as a huge fire engulfed our Parliament, just a hundred metres from where we had gathered the day before to pay our last respects to Archbishop Tutu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n