Irish Republicans have had a long and enduring relationship with the African National Congress.
In 1995 Gerry Adams travelled to South Africa to meet its senior team of negotiators who succeeded in ending apartheid and electing Nelson Mandela as President.
In the midst of the negotiations around the Good Friday Agreement some of those senior figures travelled to Ireland to hold public meetings and go into the prisons to talk about their experience of negotiations.
That relationship has remained strong over the years thanks in part to the hard work of Declan Kearney, Sinn Fein Party Chairperson.
In a very significant and concrete reflection of friendship between Sinn Féin and the ANC the Deputy President of South Africa Paul Shipokosa Mashatile addressed the Ard Fheis.
He emphasised the strong bonds of friendship between Ireland and South Africa. He said: “Ireland was a strong supporter of the liberation struggle, particularly the Irish anti-apartheid movement… We are indebted to you and there are no words to express our gratitude for the role you have played in supporting us… today we want to let you know that we are with you in your fight for the unity of Ireland.”
He concluded saying: “Our message as the African National Congress and the people of South Africa to Sinn Féin is simple but unequivocal which says solidarity forever. I want to say that the people united will never be defeated.”
