On the 31st anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, delivering Freedom Day remarks on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, announced the launch of an inclusive National Dialogue to chart the nation’s future. Speaking at AJ Swanepoel Stadium in Ermelo, Mantashe called for a participatory, society-wide process to address persistent challenges and reimagine South Africa’s democratic path.
“This is a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of our country and reimagine its future,” Mantashe told a diverse audience of justices, premiers, traditional leaders, and citizens. The National Dialogue, he explained, aims to bring together “government, political parties, civil society, business, labour, traditional leaders, women, youth and community voices” to find common ground and develop solutions. “It is an opportunity to forge a new social compact that drives progress towards Vision 2030 and lays the foundation for the next phase of South Africa’s National Development Plan,” he added.
Mantashe emphasized that the Dialogue would not be a single event but a phased process, unfolding through “local consultations and sectoral engagements to national gatherings.” This inclusive approach, he said, reflects South Africa’s commitment to its diverse population, united by “a respect for human dignity, Ubuntu and love for our country.” He reaffirmed the nation’s founding principle: “This will forever remain a country that belongs to all who live in it, black and white.”The announcement came amid reflections on South Africa’s democratic journey since April 27, 1994, when millions voted in the nation’s first non-racial elections.
“For the very first time in South Africa, Africans, Indians, coloureds and whites would be allowed to vote alongside each other for the government of their choice,” Mantashe recalled, noting that the peaceful process defied fears of racial conflict. Quoting Nelson Mandela, he said, “In the system of apartheid, both the oppressed and the oppressor are robbed of their humanity,” highlighting the restoration of dignity for all South Africans.
Mantashe warned of contemporary threats to unity, citing “people who seek to drive a wedge between us” and exploit apartheid’s wounds for political gain. “We are seeing attempts being made to rewrite history,” he said, rejecting efforts to recast the Black majority as oppressors. “We must roundly reject any attempts to divide us along racial lines. Not again. Never again,” he declared, invoking Ubuntu: “You are because I am.”
The minister also celebrated South Africa’s global role in conflict resolution, noting a recent visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the African Peace Initiative. “South Africa remains committed to a progressive foreign policy outlook,” he said, expressing solidarity with Palestine, Western Sahara, the eastern DRC, Sudan, Yemen, and victims of gender oppression in Afghanistan.
Honoring anti-apartheid heroes, Mantashe highlighted Beyers Naude, whose 110th birth anniversary will be marked on May 10, alongside other Afrikaner activists like Bram Fischer and Athol Fugard. “Our liberation was secured through the actions of many: black and white, rich and poor, men and women,” he said.
Mantashe concluded with a call to protect South Africa’s democratic gains and build a nation where “the white child and the black child has equal opportunity.” “Let us continue to nourish the flame of freedom and protect it, so it may be passed to future generations,” he urged, wishing all a “blessed and happy Freedom Day.”