On the Republic of South Africa’s Freedom Day, a video conference was held to congratulate the South African people and commemorate the 27th anniversary of the first non-racial elections held on that day in 1994.
The video conference was attended by ambassadors and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps in Venezuela and the Foreign Vice-minister for Africa, Yuri Pimentel, who recalled the 300-year heroic deeds against colonialism, including South African leader Nelson Mandela, who has been recognized for his tireless struggle against apartheid, and the libertarian contributions of Commander Fidel Castro.
“South Africa celebrates the 27th anniversary of its freedom in a year when Venezuela also celebrates 200 years of its emancipation from the Spanish empire,” added the Venezuelan foreign vice-minister for Africa, who also mentioned Venezuela’s Negro Miguel, the first African slave to create a revolutionary movement in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“It was a rebellion that marked the long path that led to Venezuela’s declaration of independence (…) We must learn that the peoples do not give up when they want to be free and seek equality and independence,” said Pimentel.
Also, the Venezuelan diplomat quoted President Cyril Ramaphosa, who said a year ago that the struggle of Nelson Mandela and the African people for equality and against discrimination has been, is and will be the struggle of the Venezuelan people and all the revolutionaries of the world.
“South Africa is today an emerging power in the world. South Africa and Venezuela share a common history of fight for peace and development. Venezuela reaffirms its commitment to strengthening further the fraternal, solidarity-based, cooperation ties between our peoples and governments,” said Pimentel.
The Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to Venezuela, Gaouthi Benmoussast, pointed out that April 27, 1994 did not only mark a great victory for South Africa, but for all of Africa. “It’s a day we cannot forget,” he said.
Likewise, he congratulated the African people for eliminating such a racial, shameful and inhumane system.