Havana, February 13, 2025.- ‘For us it is a pleasure to have you visit us, your presence in Cuba; it will be an opportunity to share with you’. This is how the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, warmly welcomed the Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa, Mrs. Bertha Peace Mabe, on Thursday afternoon.
In the context of the 33rd edition of the International Book Fair of Havana, and in one of the premises of the Morro Cabaña Historic-Military Park, the Head of State told the friend - arrived from the African continent and representing the Guest of Honour country to the important cultural event - that in Cuba there is a lot of affection for her nation.
The dignitary, who offered the welcome accompanied by his spouse Lis Cuesta Peraza, made reference to the deep historical ties between the largest of the Antilles and South Africa; and in this sense he brought up the close friendship between Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz and the exceptional fighter Nelson Mandela. ‘Cuba, said Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, contributed a grain of sand to the liberation of African countries and the elimination of apartheid’.
Among other expressions of sincere affection, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba commented to Mrs. Bertha Peace Mabe: ‘We Cubans feel African’. And at another point he was emphatic in his welcome, saying that it was a real pleasure for the hosts to meet her.
For her part, the visiting friend thanked the Cuban President for the welcome, and spoke of the honour for South Africa to be able to participate in the International Fair as Guest of Honour. In her remarks, she conveyed to the President greetings from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
She also made reference to the ‘special links’, to the friendship that Mandela and Fidel maintained. The Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa spoke of the beautiful history that unites the two nations, and stressed that the proximity to the Greater Antilles made them wiser.
She shared a beautiful reflection with the Head of State: ‘When we analyse who our friends are, Cuba is in first place’.
Also present at the meeting this Thursday afternoon on the Cuban side were the Minister of Culture Alpidio Alonso Grau, as well as the President of the Cuban Book Institute, Juan Rodríguez Cabrera.
(Presidencia Cuba)