Harare, August 13, 2025 – A heartfelt tribute from Zimbabwe to the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, on his 99th birthday, culminated today with the creation of the Chair in his name, attached to the University of Midlands.
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) Political Bureau member Ishmael Mada; Director for Africa and Asia-Pacific at the Foreign Ministry, Mqabuko Spencer Dube; Deputy Director for the Americas, Charles Chichiri; members of the accredited diplomatic corps; and other dignitaries attended the emotional evening, which kicked off a program of activities until 2026 to commemorate the Commander-in-Chief's centenary.
Held at the Cuban residence in Harare, an audiovisual presentation dedicated to the life and work of the Cuban statesman preceded the message from the Director of the Fidel Castro Ruz Center of Cuba, Dr. C. René González, who welcomed the creation of the Chair dedicated to a man who embraced the cause of Africa's liberation from colonialism and apartheid.
Ambassador Susellys Pérez Mesa welcomed the presence of numerous personalities and friends at the commemoration of the birth of the leader of the Caribbean nation, which served to unite voices and thoughts on his anniversary.
We must always return to Fidel. Study his speeches, proposals, ideals, and discipline to make us better, dignified, and supportive human beings, the Head of Mission emphasized.
Pérez Mesa maintained that he was a born 
Africanist, convinced of the greatness of this continent and its peoples, to whom he dedicated noble efforts for its independence. His close friendship with President Robert Mugabe, she added, was proof of this.
The Ambassador donated a dozen books to the coordinator of the newly created institution, one of the first in Africa dedicated to preserving his legacy, especially among the younger generations of Zimbabwe.
Professor Mafa Kwanisani, coordinator of the Chair at the University of Midlands, about 260 kilometers from Harare, received the valuable literature, accompanied by several directors of the Center for Advanced Studies, with the commitment to live up to the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution.
Kwanisani praised Cuba's solidarity with the continent and expressed that the history of Zimbabwe's independence would be incomplete without highlighting the Caribbean nation's contribution
Ambassadors and diplomats from China, Russia, Brazil, Nicaragua, Palestine, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and Rwanda, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of the Party's School of Ideology, directors and members of its Youth League, attended the commemoration, as well as Zimbabweans who graduated in Cuba, journalists and members of the Educational Brigade of the Caribbean island.