The role that the United Nations played in South Africa's transition to democracy was described by the current Secretary General as a milestone the organisation should be proud of.

Antonio Guterres was speaking at the unveiling of a bronze statue of former President Nelson Mandela in 2018 - a likeness of South Africa's first democratically elected head of state - that today adorns the visitor's entrance to the organisation's headquarters in New York.

It's a moment that epitomizes South Africa's strong bond with the organisation that has seen Presidents from Mandela to Ramaphosa visit the U.N. annually to address the General Assembly.

Our U.N. Correspondent Sherwin Bryce-Pease looks back at key moments in that journey since 1994 in this walk down memory lane.

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