International symposium on Cuba’s role in ending apartheid in South Africa
September 27 & 28, University of Toronto

"The Cuban people hold a special place in the hearts of the people of Africa. The Cuban internationalists have made a contribution to African independence, freedom and justice unparalleled for its principled and selfless character.”
- Nelson Mandela, July 26th , 1991 –

The two-day symposium, Africa’s Unknown War: Apartheid Terror, Cuba & Southern Africa Liberation, commemorates the 25th anniversary of the battle of Cuito Cuanavale, a landmark in the struggle for African independence & self-determination: the decisive defeat in Angola of the racist armed forces of the apartheid South African state by combined Cuban and Angolan troops, leading to the independence of Namibia and accelerating the end of racist rule in South Africa. These events and Cuba's extensive & crucial role in the struggle against apartheid South Africa, however, remain virtually unknown in the West.

The symposium is being held at the William Doo Auditorium, 45 Willcocks Street, University of Toronto. The symposium features visiting scholars and activists from Cuba and elsewhere. The event begins at 7pm, Friday, September 27 with the film screening of Brothers and Sisters Keeper: Cuba and Southern African Liberation, followed by panel discussion and reception. On the following day, Saturday, September 28, the program continues from 8:30am – 5pm with a series of panels and keynote presentations on the following topics: Apartheid's War of Terror; Cuban and Southern African Liberation; The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale & Looking Backwards, Thinking Forwards.

Featured speakers include: *Jorge Risquet (Cuba’s chief diplomat in Africa in the 1970s-80s); *John Saul (internationally acclaimed scholar and anti-apartheid activist); *Maria Elena Alvarez (distinguished professor of African History, Institute of International Relations, University of Havana. *Piero Gleijeses (Professor of U.S. Foreign Policy at Johns Hopkins University, and 2005 Guggenheim Fellow); *Prexy Nesbitt (former representative of Frelimo, the Mozambique Liberation Front, in the United States).* Isaac Saney (Specialist in African & Cuban history, Dalhousie University and Saint Mary's University).

Sponsors include: University of Toronto (African Studies, Caribbean Studies Program & New College): CUPW; USW; A Different Booklist; Canadian Network On Cuba; JRJ Chair of Black Canadian Studies-Dalhousie University; Group for Research and Initiative in the Liberation of Africa.

For more information please contact Isaac Saney ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; tel. 902-494-153); Melanie Newton ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; tel. 416-978-4054); Miguel san Vincente ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; tel. 416-538-0889).

http://www.cubaafrica.org/ | www.facebook.com/events/148051462051547/