Address by Minister of Home Affairs, Naledi Pandor MP, Cuba National Day,
Freedom Park Pretoria, 23 January 2014.
Your Excellency, Ambassador Carlos Fernandez de Cossío, Ambassador of the
Republic of Cuba to South Africa
Your Excellency Mr Fana Jiyane, Chief Executive Officer of the Freedom Park Trust,
Your Excellency, Ambassador Bene M’Poko, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps
Your Excellency, Ambassador Carlos Sersale, Dean of the GRULAC Group
Excellencies, Ambassadors and High Commissioners
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Colleagues, comrades, friends and compatriots
Your Excellency, Ambassador de Cossío,
President Jacob Zuma, the Government and the people of South Africa send
greetings and congratulations to General Raul Castro, First Secretary of the Central
Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Councils of State
and Ministers, as well as to the Government and the people of Cuba, on this most
memorable day, the 55th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution.
It is an immense honour to join you in celebrating another anniversary of the Cuban
Revolution - which is traditionally celebrated on 1 January.
Cuba can look back on 55 years of revolutionary political history with pride. Cuba
has played a key role in world politics. It's solidarity with the developing world has
earned the respect of many countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
The great Cuban Revolution had a direct impact on political events in southern
Africa, and especially in South Africa, and that impact is still felt today. Cuba was a
loyal supporter of the struggle against the Apartheid regime and a formidable
champion of the new South Africa.
Tonight, we also celebrate 20 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and
Cuba. We are mutual beneficiaries of a very special relationship. Both our countries
paid a high price for our struggles for political freedom, both have improved the living
conditions for the majority of our citizens, and both our countries have made the
world a better place for all.
Let me take this opportunity to recognise the important contributions made by both
diplomatic Missions in Havana and Pretoria over two decades - ambassadors John
Nkadimeng, the late Mampe Mosia Makhaya, Lenin Shope, Thenjiwe Mtintso,
Justice Piitso and the current ambassador, Naphtal Manana, as well as Cuban
Ambassadors, Angel Dalmau, Marcos Rodriquez, Ester Armenteros, Angel Villa and
the current ambassador, Fernandez de Cossío.
The relationship between South Africa and Cuba dates back well before our historic
1994 democratic elections. Before 1994 Cuba educated our cadres, helped us in our
military struggle against the apartheid regime, and supported our struggle for justice
in international fora.
Today we pay special homage to the Cuban combatants who sacrificed their lives in
Angola for a democratic South Africa. Their names are written on the Wall of
Remebrance here in Freedom Park.
Cuba has long been our ally in our struggle for freedom.
We will continue to support Cuba in its struggle to have the economic, commercial
and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America lifted. This is a
principle issue and standpoint supported by the vast majority of the United Nations
member states.
Against this background, 2014 will be the year of implementation of the Economic
Assistance Agreement to further stimulate trade and agricultural cooperation
between our two nations.
Over the past 20 years there has been a robust and constructive interaction at both
bilateral and multilateral level between our countries. South Africa and Cuba both
chaired the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and still contribute to the revitalisation of
the movement and its relevance in the multilateral arena.
Distinguished Guests, I would like to highlight a few current areas of cooperation
between South Africa and Cuba.
When former President Nelson Mandela passed away on 5 December 2013, Cuba
sent a high-level delegation to South Africa, led over by Comrade President Raul
Castro, to attend the State funeral.
President Jacob Zuma paid a State Visit to Cuba in 2010 and has received an
invitation from President Castro to pay a follow-up State Visit soon.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriquez transited through South Africa towards the end of
2013 and used the opportunity to meet with Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe
and the Secretary-General of the ANC, Gwede Mantashe. We are working towards
receiving the Cuban Foreign Minister in South Africa this year for formal discussions
with the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
The celebration of 20 years of diplomatic bilateral relations between South Africa and
Cuba is a major achievement. There are over 30 (thirty) signed bilateral agreements
in place between the two countries covering vast areas of cooperation for example
arts and culture, defence, education, science and technology, health services,
housing as well Home Affairs.
One of the success stories is the extensive cooperation between South Africa and
Cuba regarding skills development and training. During this year, no less than 1,828
South African students will be receiving medical training in Cuba. So far, more than
420 South Africans from disadvantaged backgrounds have graduated in Cuba as
medical doctors, providing much needed primary healthcare services to their local
communities. Another 73 final year medical students are doing their final year at SA
Universities and will be graduating in 2014. Similarly, 11 South African students have
graduated from the International Sport School in Havana and a number of teachers
in South Africa have benefitted from the Mathematics and Science skills
development programme.
The 10th South Africa-Cuba Joint Consultative Mechanism was held at Deputy
Ministerial level and took place in September 2013 in Havana, against a background
of our solid bilateral ties and with the aim of further strengthening relations, and
expanding cooperation, particularly in the multilateral and regional spheres. Cuba
has been invited to attend the next meeting in South Africa during the course of this
year.
Our relationship is of such a standing that the Cuban Embassy meets on a monthly
basis with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to exchange
information, to discuss bilateral issues of the moment and to expedite the
implementation of projects and programmes. In addition, regular meetings are held
between the Embassy of Cuba and the South African authorities, as well as at partypolitical level.
At civil society level, through the commitment and dedication of the Friendship of
Cuba South Africa (FOCUS) initiatives, South Africans have been sensitised on
issues pertaining to Cuba and FOCUS has been the driving force in mobilising
support for the various solidarity campaigns for Cuba in South Africa.
Your Excellency, Ambassador de Cossío, both our countries have benefitted from
visionary leaders such as President Nelson Mandela and President Fidel Castro who
inspired millions. Today both our presidents, President Jacob Zuma and President
Raul Castro, seek to build on our shared history and to use our friendship to create a
better world for all.
I, therefore, take great pleasure once more in conveying to the government and
people of Cuba our sincere congratulations on your anniversary and best wishes for
Cuba’s future peace and prosperity.
We share in Cuba’s joy.
Viva Cuba – Viva!
Viva South Africa – Viva !