Cape Town, 12 August 2026. — The Cuban Ambassador, Fakri Rodríguez Pinelo, took part in an event held at the South African Parliament to examine the history, current state and future prospects of relations between Cuba and South Africa.
The event was organised by Parliament’s Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, with the participation of lawmakers from various political parties, representatives of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, representatives of civil society and friends in solidarity with Cuba. The meeting took place to mark the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
During the discussion, it was emphasised that the ties between Cuba and South Africa are rooted in a shared history of solidarity, friendship and cooperation, as well as in Cuba’s contribution to the struggle against apartheid and the liberation of the South African people. The participants also highlighted the legacy of Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela as a model for continuing to strengthen the bonds between the two peoples, governments, parliaments and political and social organisations.
The dialogue provided an opportunity to explore the potential for expanding bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including health, education, biotechnology, human resources development and parliamentary diplomacy. In this context, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to seizing current opportunities to translate their historic friendship into new projects and concrete results.
During the meeting, the South African side reiterated its support for the lifting of the US embargo and unilateral measures against Cuba, whilst emphasising the importance of preserving and strengthening the historic ties of solidarity, cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
The Cuban Embassy welcomes this meeting, which helps to promote a deeper understanding of the shared history of both nations and to identify new ways of consolidating Cuba-South Africa relations for the benefit of their peoples.
(Cuban Embassy in South Africa)