President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a powerful message at the closing of the Liberation Movements Summit in Kempton Park, urging African leaders to act swiftly and decisively in tackling the continent’s deep-rooted challenges.
Addressing representatives from Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania, Ramaphosa said political freedom means little without economic justice. While independence brought political change, it has yet to fully transform the lives of millions across Africa.
“There are growing attempts to destabilize our nations, and we must stay alert,” he warned. “But more importantly, we must find urgent, sustainable solutions to Africa’s problems.”
Ramaphosa highlighted the need to resolve long-standing issues such as land reform, the industrialisation of Africa’s mineral wealth, and creating meaningful job opportunities for the continent’s youth.
“To meet the challenges of today, we need more than slogans or symbolic victories,” he said. “We need real, innovative solutions. The real test is whether our liberation movements are still capable of leading—not just politically, but economically and socially as well.”
He called on African leaders and movements to evolve—transforming governments, economies, and even national mindsets.
“Political independence without economic transformation is incomplete,” Ramaphosa stressed. “Justice must reach every corner of our economies and every member of our society.”
The summit served as a moment of reflection for movements that once fought for freedom—and now face the challenge of delivering prosperity.