Remarks by the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa on the occasion of the Wreath Laying Ceremony to honour French Anti-Apartheid Activists

Your Excellency, President Emmanuel Macron;
Ministers and Delegates from the French Republic;
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening and thank you for your presence at this very important occasion. We are gathered this evening on sacred ground built to honour all those who paid the ultimate price for freedom, justice, and human dignity in South Africa.

As an anti-apartheid activist myself, I am deeply moved by this ceremony, as it brings back the memories of the struggle, the conviction, selfless and discipline that many of our comrades displayed even during the most difficult times under apartheid.

This place is indeed a reminder of the history of our country and the price paid for our freedom. The Freedom Park stands today as a testament to the collective sacrifices that made our democracy possible. It is a reminder that the struggle against apartheid was not waged by South Africans alone, but supported by courageous men and women across the world.

This evening, alongside President Macron, we remember and pay tribute to the French citizens who stood firm against apartheid. These were activists, freedom fighters, journalists, scholars, and ordinary people of conscience who refused to look away. Many of them gave their voices, their talents, and, in some cases, their very lives so that South Africans could one day be free.

Their solidarity travelled across oceans. Their conviction strengthened our resolve. Their sacrifices form part of the long moral arc that bent toward justice in our land.

As we lay this wreath, we do so in deep gratitude — recognising that the bonds between South Africa and France are rooted not only in diplomacy and partnership, but also in shared values and shared struggle. These are bonds forged in the pursuit of human rights, equality, and enduring peace.

May this moment remind us of the responsibility we carry:

• to protect the freedoms so dearly won;
• to advance social justice at home and abroad;
• and to ensure that the stories of those who fought for our liberation continue to inspire future generations.

Your Excellency, thank you for this solemn act of remembrance. May the spirits of those we honour today continue to guide our nations toward a future marked by friendship, cooperation, and hope.

I thank you.