Threads of Solidarity Exhibition Opens at Freedom Park in Pretoria

On December 1, 2025, the Freedom Park Heritage Site in Pretoria unveiled the "Threads of Solidarity: European Support for the Struggle Against Apartheid" exhibition.

This collaborative effort between Freedom Park, the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa, and embassies of EU member states commemorates over 30 years of South African democracy.

The exhibition is open to the public from December 2, 2025, and delves into the extensive support provided by European nations, organizations, and individuals during South Africa's fight against apartheid.

Spanning more than seven decades, it highlights the intertwined histories of Europe and South Africa, emphasizing shared values of peace and human rights.

Central to the exhibition is a quilt-like installation featuring 27 symbolic squares, each representing an EU member state.

These squares narrate unique stories of diplomats, citizens, artists, students, and activists who stood in solidarity with South Africans during their darkest times.

For instance, Italy's contribution is showcased through photographs from Reggio Emilia, a city that played a pivotal role by forging a Pact of Solidarity with the liberation movement.

Reggio Emilia became a refuge for many anti-apartheid activists during some of the most challenging years of oppression.

Visitors can engage with an interactive map that illustrates how solidarity was expressed across different European countries.

Through immersive storytelling and evocative visuals, the exhibition captures the essence of a global movement that transcended borders and ideologies.

Jane Mufamadi, CEO of Freedom Park, remarked, "This exhibition is not just a commemoration of the past, but a reaffirmation of our shared responsibility to uphold human dignity and social justice everywhere."

Sandra Kramer, Ambassador of the European Union to South Africa, added, "The exhibition shows how change is possible when people, institutions, and countries stand in solidarity, across continents, to fight injustice."

She emphasized the shared values that have been central to the partnership between South Africa and Europe over the past 30 years: democracy, human dignity, equality, freedom, and the rule of law.

The exhibition will be on display at Freedom Park until March 2026, after which it is scheduled to tour various locations throughout South Africa.

For more information, visitors can contact the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa.