Ramaphosa Pays Tribute to Jesse Jackson, Hails Anti-Apartheid Legacy

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa delivered a moving tribute to the late Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. At his funeral in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday, March 8, 2026. Ramaphosa lauded Jackson as a dedicated ally in the fight against apartheid and a champion of global justice, stating that South Africa considers him “one of our own.”

A Global Icon of Justice

Speaking at the Private Homegoing Celebration at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters, President Ramaphosa emphasized Jackson’s unwavering support for South Africa’s liberation struggle. He noted that Jackson’s activism transcended borders and strengthened the worldwide movement for justice. Hundreds of mourners, including American and international dignitaries, attended the service, reflecting Jackson’s broad impact.

Jackson’s Enduring Bond with South Africa

Ramaphosa highlighted Jackson’s deep connection to South Africa, asserting that true belonging is defined not by birthplace but by the causes one champions. He recounted Jackson’s early and vocal opposition to apartheid, a time when many others remained silent. “He looked at a people he had never met and said: their pain is my pain. Their chains are my chains. Their struggle for freedom is my struggle,” Ramaphosa said.

Early Activism and Advocacy

The President recalled Jackson’s first visit to South Africa in 1979, where he addressed large crowds in Soweto just two years after the death of Steve Biko. Ramaphosa similarly noted Jackson’s pivotal role in advocating for economic sanctions against the apartheid government, including his arrest during protests outside the South African embassy in Washington D.C. In 1985 alongside his sons.

A Witness to History

Ramaphosa further emphasized Jackson’s presence at key moments in South Africa’s history, including witnessing Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in 1990 and attending Mandela’s inauguration as the country’s first democratically elected president in 1994. “He was there not because it was required of him, but because it was in him to witness the emergence of the South Africa he had campaigned for,” Ramaphosa stated.

Legacy of Equality and Justice

Ramaphosa positioned Jackson within a lineage of global leaders dedicated to justice, including Martin Luther King Jr. And Nelson Mandela, describing their work as a continuous passing of the torch. He expressed gratitude to the Jackson family for their support and acknowledged that no honor or award could fully capture the extent of Jackson’s contribution.

National Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo

South Africa previously honored Jackson with the Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo in 2013, recognizing his dedication to challenging societies and governments to uphold the principles of equality and human rights. This award specifically acknowledged his significant contribution to the fight against apartheid.

Jackson was laid to rest at Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood. Ramaphosa concluded by affirming that Jackson’s legacy remains integral to South Africa’s democratic journey, stating, “It lives in our Constitution. It lives in our freedom.”