Chicago – President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived at Chicago O’Hare International Airport in Illinois, United States of America.
President Ramaphosa will join members of the Jackson family, the PUSH Rainbow Coalition, the broader U.S. civil rights movement, and other American and international dignitaries in paying tribute to the late Rev. Dr. Jesse Louis Jackson.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep sadness at the passing of Rev. Jackson at the age of 84.
Rev. Jesse Jackson’s irrepressible campaigns against apartheid and his support for the liberation struggle were a towering contribution to the global anti-apartheid cause.
In 2013, the Rev. Jesse Jackson was awarded South Africa’s National Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo in Silver for dedicating his life to challenge societies and governments to recognise that all people are born equal, and that everyone is in equal measure entitled to life, liberty, prosperity, and human rights.
The award honoured his excellent contribution to the fight against apartheid.
His campaigns for an end to apartheid included disinvestment from the apartheid economy and challenging the support the regime enjoyed in certain circles and institutions internationally.
Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to the President, said the human rights campaigner would be laid to rest today, Saturday, 7 March 2026.
President Ramphosa, who arrived in Chicago on Friday, 6 March 2026, will deliver his tribute during the “Private Homegoing Celebration”.
