Johannesburg, 13 August 2026. — At a moving ceremony held at the Gauteng Legislature, the South African community, the Cuban diplomatic mission and international representatives gathered to mark the centenary of Commander Fidel Castro and reflect on his political and humanist legacy.
The event was attended by our friend and former President Kgalema Motlanthe, who shared personal anecdotes and paid tribute to Fidel. Motlanthe highlighted the enduring relevance of his ideas and emphasized that “Fidel Castro does not belong solely to history. He belongs to that rare category of historical figures whose lives become questions directed at the future.” He also recalled Cuba’s solidarity with the African peoples and Fidel’s conviction that “the freedom of one people is incomplete whilst another remains oppressed.”
The ceremony was also attended by representatives from FOCUS, who took part in the dialogue and commemorative activities, strengthening the bonds of international solidarity and intellectual exchange centered on the defense of sovereignty, social justice and cooperation between nations.
The speakers emphasized the importance of keeping alive the memory of those who fought for human dignity and of transforming that memory into practical commitment in the face of the economic coercion currently threatening Cuba.
The Cuban Embassy thanks the Gauteng Legislature for organizing this high-impact event, which provided an opportunity to examine the enduring relevance of Fidel Castro’s ideas and legacy and to strengthen bilateral ties between South Africa and Cuba.
(Cuban Embassy in South Africa)