Ramaphosa says democratic govt yet to complete Joe Slovo's work

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) says the democratic government has not completed the vision anti-apartheid activist, Joe Slovo, had for South Africa. 

The ANC joined the South African Communist Party (SACP) for its annual Joe Slovo commemoration event at the Avalon Cemetery in Soweto. 

Slovo is one of the writers of the 1955 Freedom Charter and was part of the first cohort of ministers to serve in a democratic South Africa.

ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa, was tasked to give the ANC's message of support on Monday at the SACP's event.

READ: Ramaphosa attends SACP commemoration event despite strained relations

Ramaphosa described Slovo as a white man who gave up his privileges to join the struggle against apartheid. 

He said Slovo's vision of an equal, free and prosperous South Africa is yet to be achieved. 

"The mission to which he dedicated his life, is not yet complete, that we must concede. It is, however, our shared responsibility as the liberation movement, more particularly as the alliance as well as the broader democratic movement, and also the people of SA to complete the work Joe Slovo started."

Ramaphosa said the country was still a relatively young democracy and it would take some time to reverse the harmful legacies of colonialism and apartheid.