Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013: Friend of Cuba

The Canadian Network On Cuba sends the deepest condolences on the death of Nelson Mandela to his family and to the people of South Africa. Mandela made many sacrifices in the fight against apartheid, but when he became South Africa's president he never sacrificed his friendship with those countries that had stood with the South African people during their long and arduous struggle for freedom, especially Cuba. Cuba was the first country outside of Africa that Mandela visited after he was released from 27-years of imprisonment. Nelson Mandela's friendship with and admiration for Fidel Castro was forged in Cuba's crucial contribution to the dismantling of the racist South African regime, particularly the 1987-88 battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola. This decisive defeat of the racist South African armed forces played a critical role in bringing apartheid to an end. As South Africa and the world marks the passing of this profound symbol of the struggle for equality and justice, Cuba also says farewell to one of its best friends.

For a historical contextualization of Nelson Mandela's friendship with Fidel Castro.

After 27-years of imprisonment by the racist/fascist apartheid system, Nelson Mandela chose Cuba as the first country outside of Africa to visit. During that visit he delivered the following speech outlining Cuba's decisive contribution to the South African liberation struggle.

For nine consecutive years we have gathered here in the city of Holguin that since the beginning has served as the headquarters where solidarity friends from all over the world find a common space to discuss actions in this battle for the lives and the freedom of the five Cuban patriots.

Cuba and the Defence of Its Sovereignty

On November 21, a meeting on Cuba was held at the CEGEP de l'Outaouais sponsored by l'Association d'Amitié Outaouais Cuba, la Société National des Québecois de l'Outaouais, Collectif Montferrand and l'Association Général des Etudiantes at Etudiants de l'Outaouais.