July 1, 2026
By Girma Kebede
London, United Kingdom
South Africa’s struggle against Apartheid was never won by South Africans alone. It was sustained by the sacrifices, solidarity, and unwavering commitment of an entire continent. From military training and diplomatic backing to economic assistance, political advocacy, and humanitarian support, African nations stood shoulder to shoulder with the oppressed people of South Africa throughout one of the twentieth century’s greatest struggles for justice.
The liberation of South Africa was not merely a national victory; it was a Pan-African triumph. Leaders, governments, soldiers, diplomats, churches, students, and ordinary citizens across Africa considered the defeat of Apartheid to be a collective responsibility. Many countries paid a heavy price for their solidarity, sacrificing lives, economic development, and national security to ensure that South Africans could one day live in freedom.
Today, however, recurring outbreaks of xenophobic violence against African migrants have raised profound questions about South Africa’s commitment to the Pan-African ideals that helped secure its freedom. The emergence of anti-immigrant campaigns, vigilantism, and violence directed at fellow Africans presents one of the greatest moral contradictions in post-Apartheid South Africa. For millions across the continent, these incidents represent not only a humanitarian crisis but also a painful betrayal of a shared history built upon sacrifice, unity, and hope.
Apartheid: A System Built On Oppression
From 1948 until 1994, South Africa was governed under Apartheid—a legal system of institutionalized racial segregation that entrenched white minority rule while systematically denying the political, economic, and civil rights of the Black majority.
Millions of Black South Africans were stripped of meaningful citizenship through the creation of the so-called Bantustans, forcibly removed from their ancestral homes, denied quality education and healthcare, and subjected to rigid movement controls through the infamous pass laws. Families were separated, communities destroyed, and generations condemned to poverty simply because of the color of their skin. Political opposition was met with imprisonment, torture, banning orders, censorship, and deadly force.
The Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 shocked the conscience of the world and became a defining moment in the struggle against Apartheid. Shortly afterwards, the ANC and other liberation movements were banned, forcing many of their leaders into exile.
Africa’s Shared Struggle For South Africa’s Freedom
Independent African nations viewed South Africa’s liberation as inseparable from their own pursuit of continental freedom, justice, and human dignity. Countries including Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and others opened their borders to ANC leaders, political refugees, and liberation fighters. They provided safe houses, refugee camps, military training facilities, diplomatic offices, and logistical support despite knowing that doing so would invite retaliation from the Apartheid regime.
The South African military repeatedly launched cross-border raids, bombed neighbouring countries, assassinated political activists, sabotaged infrastructure, and destabilised regional economies. Thousands of Africans who were not South African lost their lives because their governments chose to stand on the side of justice rather than oppression.
Through the Organization of African Unity (OAU), African governments pooled financial resources, coordinated diplomatic campaigns, and mobilised international pressure against the Apartheid regime.
Ethiopia’s Historic Contribution
Among the many African countries that supported the liberation struggle, Ethiopia occupies a uniquely respected place. In 1962, Nelson Mandela secretly travelled across Africa seeking military training and political support. Emperor Haile Selassie welcomed Mandela to Ethiopia, where he received his first formal military training. Ethiopia also provided diplomatic support to the anti-Apartheid movement and advocated for African unity.
Freedom Won, Solidarity Forgotten?
Three decades after the end of Apartheid, South Africa continues to face profound socio economic challenges, including unemployment, inequality, crime, housing shortages, and pressure on public services. During periods of hardship, migrants from elsewhere in Africa have increasingly become targets of hostility.
Understanding The Forces Behind Xenophobia
Economic hardship, political rhetoric, organised vigilantism, misinformation, weak governance, criminal networks, inadequate immigration management, and insufficient accountability all contribute to xenophobic violence. These complex challenges require thoughtful policy responses, not violence against vulnerable communities.
What Would Mandela Say?
Nelson Mandela envisioned a democratic South Africa founded upon dignity, equality, reconciliation, justice, and respect for all people. History should not be remembered only in monuments, museums, or commemorative speeches. It should be reflected in how Africans treat one another today. Protecting the legacy of South Africa’s liberation requires renewing the ideals of solidarity, compassion, justice, Ubuntu, and Pan-African unity for future generations.
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Editor’s Note: Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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