Ramaphosa Urges SADC Unity on Southern Africa Liberation Day
President Cyril Ramaphosa, as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), urged Southern African nations to stay united and alert on Southern Africa Liberation Day, marked on March 23, 2026. He called for this unity amid a world full of uncertainty to protect their freedom and push forward regional growth. President Ramaphosa urges unity as SADC marks Liberation Day by honoring past heroes and looking ahead. This article covers his tributes to fighters, key history like the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, and strong calls for the future.
President Ramaphosa paid tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in the fight against colonialism and apartheid. He noted their key role in building the peace and self-rule that the region enjoys today.
Through their unwavering commitment and resilience, many freedom fighters and ordinary citizens made immense sacrifices in the fight against colonial rule and apartheid, laying the foundation for the peace, dignity, and sovereignty we uphold today.
These sacrifices turned struggle into stability for Southern Africa.
The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola stands out as a major turning point in the region’s liberation. It pitted forces against apartheid and showed the power of joint efforts. Cuba sent support to help regional movements push back those forces. This battle helped lead to Namibia’s independence in 1990. It also cleared the path for South Africa’s first free elections in 1994.
Liberation Day means more than just a yearly event. It offers a chance to think about gains in self-rule, control over economies, and true dignity. In 2018, SADC passed a resolution to add the history of Southern Africa’s liberation to school lessons across member states.
2018 SADC Resolution: Integrate liberation history into school curricula to teach future generations.
This step keeps the past alive for all.
President Ramaphosa pushed for ways to save this history. He suggested naming heritage sites, monuments, and institutions after the heroes and heroines who fell. Such steps honor their work and fire up young people to carry on.
In today’s shaky global setting, he called on SADC countries to stick together for better regional ties and growth. Liberation stays unfinished while some Africans, like those in the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, still seek self-rule. Ramaphosa showed solidarity with them. Unity helps face these challenges head-on.
He stressed that peace and dialogue must guide efforts to keep freedom strong.
As with the SADC Founders and many who fought tirelessly for our liberation, we reaffirm that it is neither the colour of our skin, nor the size of our military arsenals, nor the magnitude of our national budgets that should determine our humanity or the sustainability of the human race as a whole. May dialogue and peace be our most righteous armour to safeguard the freedom we continue to enjoy and work collectively toward a more just and equitable world.
Ramaphosa ended by wishing the SADC region a calm and thoughtful Liberation Day.