Pretoria, December 6, 2018.- Counselor for Trade, Pedro D. Arteaga Cárdenas received a representation of middle-level students of Spanish language from Lesotho at the Embassy of Cuba in South Africa. During the meeting, a conversation was held about Cuba, its history and current affairs, which was offered by the Third Secretary of the Mission, Dianelis Forestal Mejías and with the participation of the Embassy Consul, Lilian Tápanes Bellas and the Third Secretary Eva Mejías Sedeño.
The young students participating in the exchange were united not only by the common interest of studying the Spanish language, chosen by personal decision, but also by knowing more about life on the Island, for them so far away. The meeting was attended by their Spanish teacher, Reynaldo Salas Durant who guides them on a tour of different places in the city of Pretoria where they can exchange with Spanish speakers.
The meeting began with the questions: Do you know where Cuba is? What do you know about Cuba?, which motivated the interest of adolescents on the subject. Aspects of the History of Cuba were highlighted, were presented photographs of its capital, La Havana, as a part of the celebration of its 500th anniversary; and other images of the main cities of the country. As well, were showd pictures about the public access to free services like health, education, sports and culture; as a sample of the Cuban government commitment to the promotion and protection of the human rights.
The students showed interest to the ways to study in Cuba, mainly in disciplines related to the career of medicine and on general topics about the Cuban population, their idiosyncrasy, the form of recreation during leisure time, among others. They also wanted to know if there were manifestations of political corruption in Cuba as an important current problem at the international level.
The support given by Lesotho to the international claim against the economic, commercial and financial blockade that the United States maintains over Cuba was recognized. The subject of the blockade was discussed as the main obstacle to the development and normal relations of Cuba with other States. In the end, the book "Brief History of Cuba" was to them in Spanish. In addition to remembering the visit, it will allow them to deepen their knowledge about the history of the Island.
