ANC
1Min
South Africa
Jan 8, 2026
In a powerful tribute to the past, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has reminded the nation of the sacrifices made by pioneers like Moses and Rebecca Kotane, as preparations ramp up for the party's milestone anniversary. Join us as we delve into the legacy they left behind and the call to action for today's youth.
ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa has ceelebrated the legacy of former SACP and ANC leader, Moses Kotane, who died while in exile over three decades ago.
This comes as the ANC prepares for its 114th anniversary celebrations. On Thursday, Ramaphosa took a profound moment to honour the legacy of one of the party's most revered figures, Moses Kotane, during a wreath-laying ceremony held at his gravesite in Pella on Thursday.
This solemn event serves as an essential reminder of the enduring impact left by the ANC's founding members and as a clarion call for current and future generations of activists.
In his heartfelt keynote address, Ramaphosa celebrated Moses Kotane’s integral role in the anti-apartheid struggle while emphasising the responsibility that today’s youth bear. “Moses Kotane stands as a reminder that our struggle requires not only courage in confrontation, but responsibility in organisation and consistency in executing the tasks of our struggle,” he declared, invoking the long-standing values that have shaped the ANC’s mission.
Ramaphosa's tribute extended to both Moses Kotane and his wife, Rebecca, underscoring their invaluable contributions to the quest for freedom in South Africa. “Today, we stand here, all of us as members of this community and the ANC, to pay our tribute to the lives of Moses Kotane and Rebecca Kotane. Both of them occupy a towering place in the history of our country and in the history of our liberation movement,” he stated, highlighting their roles as pillars of hope during a tumultuous era.
The President reflected on the exemplary lives that the Kotanes led, punctuated by discipline, humility, and unwavering dedication to the cause of freedom. “In a period defined by oppression and dispossession, these two leaders provided clarity where confusion reigned,” he added earnestly, reminding all present of the enduring relevance of their principles in today’s socio-political landscape.
Moses Kotane, who served as General Secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP) and treasurer general of the ANC, tragically passed away in Russia in 1978. Significantly, his remains were only returned to his beloved hometown in the North West in 2015, a restoration of connection that speaks volumes about his lasting impact on the nation.
With a political career that commenced in 1929 with the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA), Kotane quickly ascended through the ranks, becoming a vital member of the party's political bureau and an influential advocate for workers' rights.
