Ramaphosa praises Mandela’s valour as South Africa commemorates its 30-year anniversary of independence

As South Africa marks its 30th anniversary of independence, President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela for his valiant deeds.

Referred to be “the first democratically elected president and the father of our democracy,” Nelson Mandela passed away in 1997. Ramaphosa stated that South Africa will never forget his memory and will keep working nonstop to preserve his principles.

This was stated by the president of South Africa during his Saturday speech at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, Pretoria.

On April 27, 1994, apartheid was abolished and democracy was reinstated in South Africa.

Speaking on Saturday, Ramaphosa said, “Our shackles had been cast off. The weight of centuries of oppression was no longer holding us down.

“We remember the heroes and heroines whose actions made it possible for us to gather here today as a free people.

“As we celebrate today, we recall and honour all those who fought for justice, peace and freedom in our land.

“We remember the heroes and heroines whose actions made it possible for us to gather here today as a free people.

“On this day, we fondly remember Nelson Mandela, our first democratically elected president and the father of our democracy.

“In his memory we will continue to work tirelessly to achieve the democratic ideals to which he and many other heroes and heroines dedicated their lives.”

Speaking about the struggles before his country defeated apartheid, a policy that was founded on the idea of separating people based on racial or ethnic criteria, Ramaphosa said, “The 27th of April 1994 was a victory for non-racialism, for non-sexism, for human dignity and progress. Not just in South Africa, but everywhere.

“It was a victory for reconciliation.

“The democratic breakthrough was as much about liberating black South Africans from apartheid as it was about freeing white South Africans from their prejudice and fear.

“As President Nelson Mandela said, the system of apartheid robbed both the oppressed and the oppressor alike of their humanity.

“Before the 27th of April 1994 many believed our country would descend into a race war. Many believed that given how deep the wounds of mistrust were, that we would turn against each other.

“And yet we did not do so. Together, we worked hard and with purpose to bring about a reconciliation between the races.”

Charging the citizens, he added, “We must never let our spirits be dampened by detractors, whether they are abroad or in our own country, who want to diminish what we achieved in 1994 and in the years that have followed.”