President Cyril Ramaphosa's Freedom Day address was briefly disrupted after he and the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, were ambushed by an intruder on stage on Monday, before security quickly intervened.

During his keynote address, Ramaphosa reaffirmed the South African government's ongoing commitment to combating corruption and organised crime, and said the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and other crime-fighting efforts have ensured that those responsible were held accountable.

Ramaphosa spoke at the Dr Rantlai Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State.

He also used his Freedom Day address to reflect on the country's 32 years of democratic dispensation, saying that since 1994, when millions voted in the country’s first democratic elections, the country has ensured that transformation becomes a reality.

Reflecting on the momentous events of 1994—when millions cast their votes in the country's first democratic elections—Ramaphosa spoke about the importance of the ongoing journey toward transformation and the realisation of democratic ideals.

Ramaphosa further stated that the country's Constitution, widely regarded around the world as one of the most progressive, visionary, and influential constitutions ever adopted, was a powerful promise of freedom and stood as South Africa's collective shield.

"Dignity means that people must also be able to live free from the fear of violence and crime. To give greater effect to our freedom, we have dedicated greater resources and effort to tackling organised crime, gangsterism, gender-based violence, and other forms of violent crime. We are reforming and strengthening the criminal justice system," he said.

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He stated that over the past 32 years South Africa witnessed monumental strides governed by the rule of law, fostered by an independent judiciary that safeguarded the rights of all citizens, and that significant advancements in access to housing, healthcare, education, water, and electricity contributed to the realisation of the Constitution's transformative agenda.

Ramaphosa indicated that his administration's commitment to universal access to education symbolises a pivotal shift, with over nine million learners now benefiting from daily nutritional meals, reinforcing the government's dedication to its youth and future generation.

"In the 32 years of our democracy, we have been governed by the rule of law with an independent judiciary that serves as a guardian of the rights of all. We have expanded access to housing, to healthcare, to education, water, and electricity on an unprecedented scale. We have transformed our education system, which was used as a weapon to perpetuate oppression, making sure that universal access to education was denied to the majority of our people," he stated.

Meanwhile, IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa stated that while political freedom has been attained, many South Africans still face economic and social challenges, adding that instead of celebrating, the country should use the day to reflect and tackle pressing national issues.

The IFP observed its Freedom Day celebrations during a commemorative event in Westonaria in the Westrand on Monday.

"This is not an easy time for the country. We reflect on the difficulty of unemployment and the economy. We find ourselves in the crosshairs of instability in the Middle East, and the country is at the struggling point. What is important now is the interventions that need to arise to turn things around," he stated.

This article was originally posted by IOL