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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has hailed former President Nelson Mandela as a champion of reconciliation, who not only united South Africa but also forgave his oppressors.
Albanese participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Freedom Park in Pretoria this morning, commemorating fallen heroes who fought against the apartheid era and for South Africa’s liberation.
He touched down at the OR Tambo International Airport yesterday, joining heads of states ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit taking place in Johannesburg this weekend.
The Summit, hosted under South Africa’s G20 presidency, comes at a time of global uncertainty and the leaders are expected to focus on poverty reduction, sustainable development, and building resilience against economic shocks.
Albanese addressed the media in Pretoria where he highlighted Australia’s role, in the fight against apartheid.
The biggest challenges facing the Australian economy are global ones.
And at a time of global uncertainty, it’s more important than ever that Australia has a seat at the table.
That’s why I’m here at the G20, representing Australia’s interests. pic.twitter.com/DViAoMyIZW
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 20, 2025
“Just eight months after his release from in February 1990, Nelson Mandela came to Australia. He chose to visit Australia because of the anti-apartheid stance of our government. And the millions of Australians lent their support to him. Your actions, he said, gave us the strength and confidence that a just cause would prevail. Mandela’s commitment to peace and justice inspired many then and continues to do so today. He strove to heal divisions of the past and forgive his oppressors,” says Albanese.
