Numerous South African organizations have joined the world mourning over the passing of Fidel. In a media statement, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said the president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma conveyed a message of condolences to the government and the people of Cuba.
President Zuma said Castro "dedicated his entire life not only to the freedom of the Cuban people and the right of the Cuban state to sovereignty and self-determination, but also the freedom of other oppressed people around the world.
"As a way of paying homage to the memory of President Castro, the strong bonds of solidarity, cooperation and friendship that exist between South Africa and Cuba must be maintained and nurtured."
In a tweet the African National Congress (ANC), said that "Fidel Castro was a longstanding supporter of the ANC and the people of South Africa".
Talking to Independent Media from the National Executive Meeting of the ANC, the Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies said: “Castro was one of the giants of the revolution in the 20th century. He played a pivotal role in the liberation of Southern Africa, particularly in the battle of Cuito Cuanavale – the Stalingrad of apartheid. Castro showed incredible solidarity and ensured that our fighters prevailed, making the transition in South Africa unstoppable.”
The Nelson Mandela Foundation also joined the messages of condolences through a statement published in its official website.
"On behalf of our Chairman, Trustees and Staff, the Nelson Mandela Foundation would like to send our deepest condolences to the people and government of Cuba on the passing of Fidel Castro.
President Mandela had a close relationship with President Castro and always remembered his solidarity with the anti-apartheid movement.
He even went so far as to suggest those who criticized his relationship with Cuba and Libya, for instance should "jump in the pool".
Talking in a documentary produced in 1990 President Mandela explained his loyalty:
"The first country we approached was the United States of America. We could not even succeed to come close to the government, and they refused to assist us. But Cuba, the moment we appealed for assistance they were ready to do so and they did so," he said. "Why would we now listen to the Western world when they say we should have nothing to do with Cuba? It is just unreasonable."
May he rest in peace.
The South Africa Communist Party (SACP) issued a statement mourning the death of Commander in Chief Fidel.
“Comrade Fidel Castro belonged to the rarest breed of finest revolutionaries who made an invaluable contribution in the struggle for the emancipation of humanity. Human history will be incomplete without Comrade Fidel Castro’s colossal contribution in the struggle for freedom, for a society without the exploitation of one person, group, or country by another," the party said.
"The people and government of Cuba offered an outstanding solidarity support under the leadership of Comrade Fidel Castro in our own struggle against colonial oppression, apartheid, economic exploitation and African continental independence. The defeat of the forces of apartheid South Africa in Angola that paved the way to the dislodgment of the apartheid regime in South Africa in 1994 would not have happened without the people of Cuba and Comrade Fidel Castro’s exceptional leadership."
"Cuba’s contribution in the struggle for freedom by the democratic people of our country, Southern African region, the African continent and elsewhere came without any strings attached. This revolutionary culture continues to this day, the latest example being the excellent work done by Cuban healthcare professionals in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus in our continent.
"South Africa is also host to Cuban healthcare professionals working in rural areas where there are few or even no South African doctors looking after the health needs of our people. South Africa also has about 3,000 students training as doctors in Cuba.
Father Michael described Fidel as "a giant who championed the cause of poor people around the globe". Other members of the Friends of Cuba Society here, also conveyed its condolences by phone, email or personally.
The political party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also issued a statement saying it mourned Castro's passing."We send our revolutionary condolences to the family and close friends as well as the people of Cuba as a whole. We know too well that Commandant Fidel Castro's 90 years of existence touched the lives of many in the world, particularly socialist militants who are still fighting capitalism and imperialism.