President Gokhool and PM Ramgoolam attend reception marking South Africa’s Freedom Day

‘The relationship of Mauritius and South Africa transcends politics, and is deeply rooted in the people. Through the best of times and the worst, we have stood together, guided by the enduring principles of multiculturalism and sovereign equality’.

This statement was made, yesterday, by the High Commissioner of South Africa to Mauritius, and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Dr (Mrs) Hlamalani Nelly Manzini, as she hosted a reception to mark the 32nd Freedom Day of the Republic of South Africa, at the RM Garden in Trianon.

The event was graced by the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Dharambeer Gokhool; the Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam; the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie; and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Dhananjay Ramful. Toasts were exchanged in celebration of the longstanding bilateral relations between the two nations.

The Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Jean Yvan Robert Hungley; the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mrs Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra; Cabinet Ministers; Junior Ministers; members of the Diplomatic Corps and dignitaries were also present.

In her address, the High Commissioner reflected on the historic journey that led to the birth of South Africa’s Rainbow Nation, emerging from the shackles of apartheid and colonialism. She noted that the celebratory evening coincided with one of the most significant observances on the United Nations calendar—the International Day of the African Child. The day, she recalled, holds special significance for South Africa as it commemorates the contribution made by young people towards the attainment of freedom of our country.

Dr Hlamalani Nelly Manzini recalled that on 16 June 1976, students took to the streets to defy the Afrikaans Medium Decree, fighting a system deliberately designed to limit their futures, emphasising that their blood and sacrifice have nurtured the inclusive education systems of today. She highlighted that this shared democratic triumph has given rise to one of the strongest pillars of the South Africa–Mauritius bilateral relationship: the education sector.

She underscored the Government’s generous scholarship scheme for African students, which she stressed, lays a vital foundation for the realisation of Mauritius’ vision of becoming a regional education hub. As regards the African Leadership College hosted in Mauritius, she expressed conviction that it is poised to become a leading centre for nurturing future African leaders who will contribute to regional integration.

The High Commissioner also underlined that the two Nations have strengthened their economic collaboration, with an expanding presence of South African companies in Mauritius, reflecting the deep trust in the local financial ecosystem, rooted in a shared moral commitment and common values. These investments serve as a living testament to a purposeful bilateral relationship that actively drives mutual economic growth, she added.

She furthermore pointed to the principles of good governance and accountability that define the South Africa–Mauritius partnership. These shared values, she noted, have translated into tangible cooperation, with Mauritius being selected as one of the first countries to benefit from the capacity-building programme of the Auditor-General of South Africa. Beyond governance, she informed that capacity-building initiatives also extended to promoting arts and culture through close collaborations with the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture and the Mauritius Film Development Corporation.

Noting that the two countries have weathered major challenges together—including the COVID-19 pandemic—Dr Hlamalani Nelly Manzini renewed South Africa’s unflinching support for Mauritius in its ongoing pursuit of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.

As her five-and-a-half-year tenure as South African High Commissioner to Mauritius draws to a close, she reflected fondly on her many interactions with the Mauritian people and expressed appreciation for the strong spirit of unity that characterises the nation. Concluding her remarks, and in her capacity as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, she extended her sincere gratitude to her fellow diplomats for their unwavering support throughout her mandate.

17 June 2026

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Topics: Bilateral cooperation