Reported by Afilawos Magana Sur, Managing Editor| investigative Journalist at Sele Media Africa

Ramaphosa Honors Rev. Jesse to American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson for his enduring support of South Africa’s liberation struggle, recalling the reverend’s presence at two defining moments in the nation’s democratic journey — the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990 and his inauguration as South Africa’s first democratically elected president in 1994.Speaking during a homecoming celebration held in Jackson’s honour, Ramaphosa reflected on the global solidarity that helped dismantle apartheid and highlighted Jackson’s consistent engagement with the country even after democracy was achieved. According to the South African president, Jackson was among the international figures present in Cape Town when Mandela walked free after spending 27 years in prison under the apartheid regime. Ramaphosa recalled Jackson describing the historic moment as a powerful “release of glee and joy,” capturing the emotional outpouring that swept across the country as millions celebrated the liberation of a man who had become a global symbol of resistance and reconciliation. Mandela’s release on February 11, 1990, marked a turning point in South Africa’s political history, accelerating negotiations that ultimately ended decades of racial segregation and minority rule. The moment also drew widespread international attention, with activists, diplomats, and journalists converging on South Africa to witness the beginning of a new political era. Ramaphosa noted that Jackson’s commitment to South Africa did not end with Mandela’s freedom. The American civil rights leader was again present in 1994 when Mandela was inaugurated as the first president elected through universal suffrage in South Africa — a landmark event that formally ended apartheid and ushered in democratic governance.“Rev. Jesse Jackson kept returning to South Africa after 1994 when many of his contemporaries moved on,” Ramaphosa said, emphasizing the reverend’s enduring ties with the country and his continued advocacy for justice and equality. Jackson, a prominent figure in the global civil rights movement and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, played a visible role in mobilizing international pressure against apartheid during the 1980s and early 1990s. His activism, alongside that of global anti-apartheid networks, helped sustain international sanctions and diplomatic pressure that eventually forced negotiations between the apartheid government and liberation movements. South Africa’s democratic transition remains widely regarded as one of the most significant political transformations of the late 20th century. Figures such as Mandela and global supporters like Jackson became symbols of the international solidarity that helped dismantle institutionalized racial segregation. Ramaphosa’s remarks serve as a reminder of the cross-continental alliances that shaped Africa’s liberation history — highlighting the role played by diaspora leaders and international advocates in supporting the continent’s struggles for freedom, dignity, and democratic governance. As South Africa continues to commemorate milestones in its democratic journey, tributes to figures like Jackson underscore the enduring global networks that once rallied behind the anti-apartheid cause and remain influential in shaping contemporary conversations about justice and equality. Sources: Reuters; BBC News; Al Jazeera; Associated Press; South African Government Communications.

Afilawos Magana Sur

Afilawos Magana Sur is a journalist from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, currently based in Bauchi metropolis. He is known for his commitment to accurate, ethical, and responsible journalism, with a focus on reporting issues of public relevance and community development.

www.selemedia.org