27 April 2018 PRESS RELEASE
Today Cuba joins all South Africans in celebrating Freedom Day, the 24th anniversary of the country`s first non-racial democratic elections. This was the first time all South Africans of all races voted to determine their future.
The defeat of apartheid colonialism by the South African people was one of the greatest achievements of humankind. This sacred day marks the end of centuries of colonial domination and racial oppression. It symbolizes the end of a system that had been declared a crime against humanity, and which had dehumanized black people and turned them into pariahs in the land of their birth.
At the first commemoration, late former president Nelson Mandela said: “As dawn ushered 27 April 1994, few of us could suppress the welling of emotion, as we were reminded of the terrible past from which we come as a nation, the great possibilities that we now have, and the bright future that beckons us. And so we assemble here today, and in other parts of the country, to mark a historic day in the life of our nation.”
The celebration of Freedom Day marks the culmination of a long and hard won struggle that has seen countless heroes. Many lost their lives for the dream of a free and democratic South Africa. Cuba is very proud of its modest contribution to that struggle. Many Cuban soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice in the fight against Apartheid. We honor the memory of all the martyrs of the South Africa liberation struggle. The world remains forever indebted to them for their sacrifices.
Cuba is committed to continue supporting the enormous efforts of South Africans aimed at healing the deep wounds that have for centuries been opened.
South Africa´s struggle is also Cuba´s struggle. A successful South Africa after many terrible years of colonization and apartheid, will reinforce humanity's belief in justice, strengthen our confidence in the nobility of the human soul and sustain all our hopes of a better future for all.