Johannesburg: President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on Southern African nations to remain united and vigilant in safeguarding their hard-won freedom, as the region commemorates Southern Africa Liberation Day. In a statement on Monday, President Ramaphosa, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), paid tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid.
According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa highlighted the commitment and resilience of many freedom fighters and ordinary citizens who made immense sacrifices in the fight against colonial rule and apartheid. He emphasized that their efforts laid the foundation for the peace, dignity, and sovereignty the region upholds today.
President Ramaphosa also reflected on the historic Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola, describing it as a turning point in the liberation of Southern Africa. He acknowledged the supportive role of Cuba in aiding regional liberation movements against apartheid forces. The President noted that the battle significantly contributed to Namibia's independence in 1990 and paved the way for South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994.
While marking Liberation Day as a significant milestone, President Ramaphosa stressed its importance as more than just a symbolic ritual. He urged it to be an opportunity for reflection on the region's progress in achieving self-determination, economic control, and dignity. He reiterated the importance of preserving liberation history, highlighting a 2018 SADC resolution to integrate the history of Southern Africa's liberation into school curricula across member states.
President Ramaphosa further encouraged naming heritage sites, monuments, and institutions after fallen heroes and heroines to preserve their legacy and inspire future generations. Amid an increasingly uncertain global environment, the President urged SADC member states to remain focused and united in advancing regional integration and development.
He expressed solidarity with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, stating that the liberation commemorations would remain incomplete as long as some Africans continue to yearn for self-determination. President Ramaphosa emphasized that peace and dialogue must remain central to sustaining freedom and building a more just and equitable world.
Concluding his message, President Ramaphosa reaffirmed that humanity and the sustainability of the human race should not be determined by superficial factors. He wished the SADC region a peaceful and reflective Liberation Day.