UN Marks 10 Years Of Post-Apartheid Democracy In South Africa
The United Nations today marked the 10th anniversary of South Africa’s battle to make the transition from apartheid
racism to democracy in what Secretary General Kofi Annan called “a struggle that galvanized the entire world community.”
The fight against apartheid was “one that rallied people and Governments behind a common objective: the objective of
reaffirming the basic human rights and fundamental freedoms of all peoples,” he said.
The transformation was seen as little short of miracle, but “what made it possible was the South African people’s
determination to work together to heal the deep scars caused by racial discrimination, oppression, humiliations, denial
and exploitation and to transform their bitter experiences into the binding glue of a rainbow nation,” he said.
The international community was rejoicing to see South Africans of all colours, ethnic groups and creeds, working
together to forge a common future, as civil society organizations, the Government and the private sector addressed the
harsh legacies of the apartheid regime – crime, poverty and HIV/AIDS, Mr. Annan said.
Today South Africans have played key roles in trying to bring peace to countries in Africa, including Burundi and the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and in 2001 their country became one of five countries that launched the New
Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), he said.
“They are working with their brothers and sisters in the African Union (AU), the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) and other organizations to advance the cause of development, justice and African unity,” he said.
“Today the entire United Nations family joins with the heroic people of South Africa as they dedicate themselves to
working even harder for a bright future. We pledge our support in the struggle to further consolidate democratic
institutions, to promote human rights and to build an ever more successful South Africa,” he said.