Deputy President Mashatile and President Macron Honour French Anti-Apartheid Activists


Pretoria: Deputy President Paul Mashatile and French President Emmanuel Macron have this evening led a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum to honour French citizens, who supported South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. President Macron arrived at the heritage precinct in Pretoria in the late afternoon, where he was officially received by Deputy President Mashatile ahead of the commemorative event.



According to South African Government News Agency, the visit forms part of the French leader’s programme before joining other Heads of State and Government for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, taking place from 22 to 23 November under the theme: ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’. Speaking at the ceremony, Mashatile said Freedom Park stood as ‘sacred ground’, dedicated to all who sacrificed their lives for justice, freedom, and human dignity. He said the tributes paid to French anti-apartheid activists were a powerful reminder that South Africa’s liberation struggle had been a global effort.



Mashatile expressed being deeply moved by the ceremony, reflecting on how the memorial site serves as a reminder of the price paid for freedom and the collective sacrifices that made democracy possible. He highlighted that the struggle was not waged by South Africans alone but was strengthened by courageous men and women across the world, including French activists, journalists, scholars, and ordinary citizens who refused to remain silent.



Alongside President Macron, Mashatile remembered and paid tribute to the French citizens who stood firmly against apartheid, acknowledging the voices, talents, and lives sacrificed so that South Africans could one day be free. Their solidarity, he noted, traveled across oceans, fortifying the resolve of those resisting oppression at home and forming part of the ‘long moral arc that bent toward justice’ in South Africa.



Mashatile emphasized that the ceremony highlighted the deep historic bonds between South Africa and France, rooted not only in diplomacy but in shared values, shared sacrifice, and a shared commitment to human rights. He remarked that the moment served as a reminder of the responsibility carried by both nations to safeguard hard-won freedoms, promote social justice at home and globally, and ensure that liberation stories continue to inspire future generations.



Addressing President Macron, Mashatile expressed gratitude for the solemn act of remembrance, hoping that the spirits of those honoured would continue to guide the nations toward a future marked by friendship, cooperation, and hope.

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