CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Contribution of Cuba to the end of apartheid highlighted in South Africa.

SOUTH AFRICA, February 19, 2011.- “The selfless contribution of Cuba supporting the preservation of the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Angola helped to guarantee the independence of Namibia and to end Apartheid in South Africa”, said the Cuban Ambassador to South Africa, H.E. Mr. Angel Villa, during a lecture delivered at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).

Before a crowded amphitheatre, the Cuban diplomat explained the origin of the solidarity attitude of Cuba based in the African component of the Cuban nationhood, as well as throughout the adoption of the proletarian internationalism as a cardinal principle of the Cuban foreign policy. He also elaborated on the quadripartite negotiations process and the repercussion of these positives geopolitical changes that emerged in Southern Africa.

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Hon. Mr. Marius Fransman was also present at the event and he expressed, on behalf of the people of South Africa and the ANC, the recognition to Cuba because of its important support received defeat Apartheid.  Mr. Fransman also appreciated the value of the current assistance of hundreds of Cuban doctors, engineers and architects to the   current democratic dispensation era in the country, and of the large number of South African youth studying medicine in Cuba.

The event was attended by the Principal and Vice Chancellor of the UWC, professors, students, members of  the Friends of Cuba Society (FOCUS) and a group of Cubans.  At the end, it was presented a cultural performance of South African and Cuban singers.

(Cubaminrex – Embacuba Sudáfrica)