What would the world be without solidarity and mutual respect? What would become of the peoples without their descendants? Questions that seem simple or very idealistic; but they invite us to think that our race continues to be distinguished by reasoning and the values ​​that, although almost extinct, make us human.

Nelson Mandela said “that after climbing a great hill, one finds only that there are many more hills to climb”, and it is precisely there where two peoples and two men began a story that continues to beat in the common struggle of Cuba and South Africa, in the fight for a better world, a world without inequality and poverty; in which the hills multiply; but the desire to fight becomes infinite.

About apartheid and the wishes of independence in Cuba

Apartheid discriminated against blacks and Indians in South Africa and granted privileges to the minority of the white population for more than 50 years.

The exploitation and misery in which Cuba lived before 1959 was a painful way of survival.

Faraway processes in a time that we do not live and today we read or study; but at the end of the day, stages that left a deep mark in the life of human beings of distant continents and different in traditions and culture. Countries that, despite the diversity, united them inalienable desires: the freedom of men, social inclusion and peace.

One day on the calendar

On May 11th, 1994, diplomatic relations between Cuba and South Africa were established, during the visit to Pretoria by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, at the inauguration ceremony of the anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela.

The values ​​of Mandela and Fidel united the dreams and realities of both countries, which today no longer have the physical presence of their leaders; but their ideals are still present in each descendant who cares about knowing their roots and fighting for them, in keeping alive an intangible heritage that only from generation to generation can beat for equity and social justice.

We move forward in the calendar and discover that today is the International Day of Solidarity with the Struggling People of South Africa; and more than speaking about the Afro-descendant communities present in our territory, we want to dedicate these words to highlight the indissoluble bond of both peoples; the human paradigms that continue to be Fidel and Mandela; and the conquests that we enjoy today on different horizons but with the same impetus: peace, solidarity and social inclusion.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García