Mbombela, January 15, 2023.- The Deputy President of South Africa and of the African National Congress (ANC), Paul Mashatile, participated in the inaugural session of the VII Continental Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba, which is taking place from today until the 17th.
Mashatile stressed that South Africa would always be by Cuba's side, just as Cuba has been by the side of the South African people in the most difficult moments. He mentioned not only the support given by Cuba in the struggle for the liberation of Southern Africa, but also the sending of doctors and health professionals during Covid-19.
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor, delivered a moving speech in which she highlighted Cuba's spirit of collaboration and solidarity with the world. She expressed her country's rejection of the blockade against Cuba when she stated: “Since 1994, the year of our democracy, South Africa has been resolute in its support for Cuba and has led the charge in calling on the United States of America to end the illegal and unjust blockade imposed on Cuba, now in its 62nd year”.
The afternoon session was also addressed by important leaders of progressive movements from other African countries, including Ambassador Buchraya Beyoun, Prime Minister of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic; Hilma Nicanor of the South West African People's Organisation, SWAPO; Amelia Muendance of the Mozambique Liberation Front, and other representatives of Cuba friendship associations on the continent.
At the end of the day, the documentary Cuba in Africa, by the Ethiopian-American filmmaker Negash Abdurahman, winner of the Thomas Sankara Award at the Ouagadougou Pan-African Film and Television Festival, the Los Angeles Pan-African Film Festival and the Cannes International Pan-African Film Festival, was screened. This film captures, in a simple way, Cuba's contribution to freedom struggles in Southern Africa.
(Cuban Embassy in South Africa)