On the occasion, the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, highlighted the importance of the active participation of citizens in the construction of the country’s future.

It took people from all over the country, religious leaders, traditional leaders, political activists, young and old, workers and ordinary citizens to lead South Africa forward to democracy, he recalled.

Now, he continued, ‘no matter how difficult the times are, let us stick together.

Let us not give up the difficult task of building a fairer and more equal South Africa,’ the Minister emphasized.

In his remarks Mantashe recalled how on April 27, 1994, dignity was restored to all South African people, both black and white.

As our beloved Madiba’ (Nelson Mandela) reminded us, he said, ‘in the apartheid system, both the oppressed and the oppressor are robbed of their humanity’.

As part of his speech, which he made in place of President Cyril Ramaphosa due to health reasons, Mantashe highlighted several key achievements under the democratic government.

Among them, the minister cited increased black ownership and management of mines, greater career opportunities for black South Africans, and the development of new businesses and a commitment to reconciliation rather than revenge.

abo/oda/mv