Pretoria, South Africa — Deputy President Paul Mashatile and French President Emmanuel Macron led a solemn ceremony at Freedom Park in Pretoria to honour French activists who stood against apartheid and supported South Africa’s liberation struggle. The commemoration formed part of Macron’s official state visit and highlighted the long-standing solidarity between the two nations.
According to government officials, the ceremony acknowledged French citizens who played pivotal roles in mobilising international resistance to apartheid, supporting exiled South African activists and amplifying calls for global sanctions during the height of the liberation movement. Their contributions, once dispersed across civil society, political networks and cultural organisations in France, were formally recognised through symbolic tributes at Freedom Park’s Isivivane and Wall of Names.
Deputy President Mashatile said the event served as a reminder of the global coalition that helped dismantle apartheid, noting that the sacrifices and moral leadership of international allies strengthened South Africa’s push toward democracy. He emphasised that honouring these activists reinforces the country’s commitment to international cooperation rooted in justice and shared human dignity.
President Macron echoed the sentiment, saying France remains committed to deepening its relationship with South Africa, particularly in areas of cultural exchange, education, renewable energy and future economic collaboration. He described the anti-apartheid activists as “voices of courage” whose actions shaped France’s principled foreign policy stance throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
The commemoration is one of several engagements scheduled during Macron’s visit, which also includes bilateral discussions on trade, security partnerships, climate action and technology-driven development. Both governments have indicated that strengthening ties across these sectors remains a priority.
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