The South African High Commission in Jamaica on Thursday feted children of the Carberry Court Special School and Jamaica National Children’s Home as it celebrated South Africa’s Freedom Day, marking 29 years since the African country held its first democratic elections in 1994, ushering in a new era after the dismantling of the brutal and racist apartheid system.

The event was held at the Carberry Court Special School in Hope Estate, St Andrew.

In her remarks, South Africa’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Lumka Yengeni said “this was not only a victory for South Africa but for all progressive forces globally. It was impossible for us alone in SA to defeat the brutal apartheid system without the support and the solidarity from the progressive masses from all the corners of the world.”

Yengeni added: “It was not an accident of history that our late former President Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela visited Jamaica first after his release from prison. Jamaica is the first country in the world to ban trade with apartheid SA. We value the support and solidarity played by the Caribbean Community in our struggle for liberation.”

The celebration of Freedom Day in Jamaica preceded the awarding of reggae icon Peter Tosh on Friday in South Africa. Winston Hubert McIntosh, who had already been awarded the Order of Merit in Jamaica, was nominated to receive the Order of the Companion of Oliver Reginald Tambo, the South African equivalent to Jamaica’s Order of Merit.

The award was collected by the youngest daughter of the late reggae legend, Niambe McIntosh, at a grand ceremony in Pretoria presided over by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.