Former African, European and American statesmen and political leaders were distinguished, over the weekend, by the South African government, with the gold medal of the “Order of the Companions of Oliver Tambo”, in recognition of their contribution and that of their countries in the fight against the Apartheid regime.
Among those distinguished are the former heads of state of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano, from Namibia, Sam Nujoma, from Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf from Botswana, Sir Ketumile Masire.
Speaking during the National Orders 2018 ceremony, which took place in Pretoria, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the country owes “a great deal to the devout support” of the international community for its freedom.
“Many countries offered solidarity and opened their arms to welcome our activists. Many people from our neighboring countries have lost their lives and limbs because of us,” she said.
“We honor people who stood by our people, at home and in exile, who provided material and other aid to our students, activists and fighters,” he said.
“With this, we express our sincere and eternal gratitude to all of them, for their participation in a fight that was not theirs, in a distant land and for having offered so much, for a long time to so many (South Africans)”, he added.
The South African statesman made a special mention of Ambassador Alexander Sergeevich Dsasokhov and Slava Tetekin, from Russia, and Rosita Johnson, from the United States, other figures also honored.