Our country has lost direction: Mamphela Ramphele

South Africa has lost its direction, Agang SA leader Mamphela Ramphele said.

"Our country has lost direction. We need to retrace our steps to the foundations of our society and build anew a prosperous country in which we aim for excellence: in which we create dignified jobs; a health care system that makes women, children, the elderly and vulnerable feel safe; and a police service that works with communities to make our shared spaces safe for work and play," she said.

She was speaking at Heritage Day celebrations at the Tshikombani stadium, in the Vhembe District of Limpopo.

Ramphele said realising unity in diversity for the youth of the nation was critical.

"On our journey together so far, our different languages and customs are points on the compass. Ubuntu is our guide, that ancient principle at the heart of our traditional knowledge systems.

"At the heart of every culture we share the values of dignity, freedom and equality for all. These are golden threads that weave through us and bind us together."

She said South Africans had inherited an abundance of natural minerals, and human and cultural resources.

"Let us be clear it is not our heritage, past, present or future, real or imagined, that we should live without true freedom," she asked.

She criticised the ANC government, saying they were clinging to power and risked dividing the nation.

"Beware the state-sponsored tribalism of 100 percent Zuma, 100 percent Zulu, 100 percent Venda and 100 percent coloured," she said.