President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his latest weekly newsletter to warn that democracy is under strain across the world as South Africa prepares to mark Freedom Day on 27 April. He said rising extremism, intolerance and inequality are putting democratic institutions under pressure.

Ramaphosa said South Africa’s own democratic journey should serve as a reminder of what is at stake. He wrote that 30 years after the adoption of the Constitution, the country remains rooted in human rights, the rule of law and the will of the people expressed through regular elections.

Call for Stronger Global Institutions

The president made the remarks after attending the fourth meeting of the In Defence of Democracy initiative in Barcelona, Spain. There, he joined other world leaders in calling for stronger international cooperation to protect democratic values.

Ramaphosa said countries cannot stay quiet when the dignity and human rights of people are under attack. He also argued that global institutions need urgent reform, including the United Nations, saying bodies such as the UN Security Council have shown themselves to be ineffective in stopping conflicts and preventing genocide.

Inequality Remains a Major Threat

Ramaphosa also pointed to inequality as one of democracy’s biggest risks. He said laws, rules and institutions should do more than exist on paper. They must improve lives and give people a fair chance to shape decisions that affect them. He said South Africa supports the creation of an International Panel on Inequality.

That message lands hard in a country still battling poverty, joblessness and deep economic divides. Ramaphosa’s argument is clear: democracy cannot survive on elections alone. It also needs delivery, fairness and public trust. This is where many nations are being tested.

Why Ramaphosa Says This Matters for South Africa

Ramaphosa warned that democratic decline elsewhere does not stay contained. He said South Africa is affected by growing geopolitical tensions and by the weaponisation of trade and investment.

Ahead of Freedom Day, he urged South Africans to recommit to tackling poverty, inequality and underdevelopment. He warned against drifting towards societies where strongman politics grows and human rights weaken. For South Africa, his message is simple: democracy must be protected at home and defended abroad.