Pretoria, 1 June 2026. — The Left Conference took place between 29 and 31 May and was attended by 103 organisations and around 340 delegates. Under the slogan ‘Building a left-wing movement for the working class and popular power’, intense debates took place regarding the role of progressive forces today.
There was a call from the General Secretary of the Communist Party, Solly Mapaila, to support our country in the face of constant aggression and threats from the United States, with particular emphasis on the energy blockade. He also condemned the recent unfounded accusations against Army General Raúl Castro.
On the other hand, Julius Malema, General Secretary of the Economic Freedom Fighters party, referred to Cuba’s solidarity despite the blockade and the sanctions imposed. Similarly, the General Secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, Irvin Jim, highlighted the island’s role in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale.
The event’s final declaration states: The Conference expresses unwavering solidarity with Cuba and calls for a South African Cuba Solidarity and Anti-Blockade Bill. It rejects threats of war, destabilization and the use of unilateral sanctions against Cuba and other sovereign nations as instruments to provoke hardship, weaken sovereignty and impose regime change. The Conference affirms the right of the Cuban people to determine their own future free from imperialist interference.
(Cuban Embassy in South Africa)