Ramaphosa promises to atone for Marikana

The newly elected president has delivered his reply to the debate to the State of the Nation Address. 

Ramaphosa - who was director of Lonmin and a major shareholder - is reported to have called for 'concomitant action' to end the strike in 2012. 

34 people died after police opened fire on striking mineworkers. 

Addressing the National Assembly, Ramaphosa says he will do what's necessary to offer support to those injured and the victims' families. 

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa's election has 'put us on a pedestal of hope' - Madonsela

"Government is making progress with continuous engagement with the legal representatives of the victims especially on matters of reparations to the families who lost their loved ones. This must be concluded in the coming month. 

"I would like to use this opportunity to address what role I played in my capacity as a Lonmin director of the events of that tragic week. I am determined to play whatever role I can - in the process of healing and atonement for what happened at Marikana," he says.  

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa says land expropriation without compensation should not be seen as a threat but as a great opportunity to right the wrongs of the past. 

NOW READ: Analyst compares Ramaphosa address to Mandela's

He says expropriation will be done responsibly and has called on all political parties to help achieve this goal.

"The expropriation of land without compensation is envisaged as one of the measures that we will use to accelerate redistribution of land to black South Africans. We will need to determine collectively how we can implement this measure in a way that promotes agricultural production, improves food security, reduces poverty and strengthens our economy," he says.