President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged Southern African nations to remain united and vigilant in defending their hard-won freedom, as the region commemorated Southern Africa Liberation Day on Monday.
In a statement issued by the Presidency on Monday, Ramaphosa – who also serves 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.
“Through their unwavering commitment and resilience, many freedom fighters and ordinary citizens made immense sacrifices,” he said, adding that their efforts laid the foundation for the peace, dignity and sovereignty enjoyed across the region today.
The president also highlighted the historic Battle of Cuito Cuanavale as a turning point in Southern Africa’s liberation struggle. He acknowledged the role of international allies, particularly Cuba, whose military support helped confront apartheid South Africa’s forces in Angola.
According to Ramaphosa, the battle contributed significantly to Namibia’s independence in 1990 and ultimately to South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.
He stressed that Liberation Day should not be treated as a symbolic ritual, but rather as a moment for reflection on the region’s progress in achieving the goals of self-determination, economic control and human dignity.
Ramaphosa also referenced a 2018 SADC summit in Windhoek, Namibia, where regional leaders agreed to establish a curriculum working group to integrate Southern African liberation history into school systems across member states. He said the initiative would help preserve the legacy of the liberation struggle and educate future generations.
The president called on SADC countries to honour liberation heroes through the naming of heritage sites, monuments and public institutions, saying such efforts would reinforce shared values of unity and freedom.
At the same time, he warned of emerging global challenges that could threaten regional stability, urging member states to remain focused on cooperation and collective self-determination.
“The liberation we commemorate will remain incomplete as long as some of our fellow Africans continue to yearn for self-determination,” Ramaphosa said, expressing solidarity with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
He concluded by calling for peace and dialogue to guide the region forward, reaffirming SADC’s commitment to building a more just and equitable world.
Southern Africa Liberation Day is observed annually on 23 March to honour the region’s struggle for independence and to promote unity among SADC member states.
