President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that government is working harder to increase South Africa’s economic recovery momentum, urging citizens to reflect on whether government is fulfilling the promise in the country’s Constitution.

Ahead of Human Rights Day on March 21, Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that government’s work was “far from complete”, pointing out that poverty, inequality and unemployment remain “stubborn obstacles” for South Africans.

South Africa’s Human Rights Day is celebrated each year on March 21 to commemorate the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, where 69 people were killed protesting apartheid pass laws.

Ramaphosa said closing gaps in inequality and unemployment was a constitutional imperative.

“When we mobilise investment to build factories or open mines to create jobs and opportunities for emerging businesses, or when we build new roads and revitalise hospitals, we are working towards a society in which everyone has dignity.

“When we lay new pipes to bring water to outlying villages or repair ageing water infrastructure in cities and towns, or when we restore the supply of electricity to communities, we are advancing the right to dignity,” he said.

He urged citizens to “rededicate” themselves to the Constitution and to its principles.

“Let us resolve in our homes, schools, workplaces and communities to treat every person with the dignity that is their right – and let us never stop working until we have ensured that every person can live in dignity, comfort and peace,” he said.

He explained that the right to dignity was operationalised through law, institutions and policies.

“…our courts continue to assert this right and, where necessary, order government and those in power to take measures to enhance people’s dignity. Protecting a person’s right to dignity is not limited to the way people treat each other.

“It is also about improving the circumstances in which people live. It lies at the heart of the policies and programmes of this government and of the work of many organisations and individuals across society,” he said.

Ramaphosa highlighted that as the global economic outlook became increasingly uncertain, government must sustain massive investment in infrastructure, continue with far-reaching reforms in energy, water and logistics, overhaul the skills development system and expand support to small businesses.