The president said this when he, together with the presiding officers of Parliament, unveiled the inscriptions depicting the values of the Constitution at both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday.
“As we hold our sixth democratic elections, let us do everything within our power to ensure that the will of the people prevails, and – beyond the election – to ensure that the process of governance is defined by openness, transparency and accountability,” Ramaphosa said.
He called on all South African leaders “to continue to observe these values and do or say nothing that will cause disunity among South Africans” as the country embarks on election campaigns.
“Let us all campaign responsibly and do our part to ensure free, fair and credible elections,” he said.
Ramaphosa said citizens, and their representatives, who passed through the doors of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, would be reminded of the fundamental principles upon which society was founded.
He said that “each one of us will need to reflect on whether, through our daily actions, we advance or betray the cause of freedom and democracy.”