South African Communist leader in Cuba for solidarity visit

Images via Revolution Studios

By Yaima Puig Meneses, translated from the Spanish

Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and President of the Republic, held talks this Friday at the Palace of the Revolution with Solly Mapaila, the Secretary General of the South African Communist Party (SACP). An Exchange and Cooperation Agreement between the two parties was also signed during the meeting.

He emphasized that "We have the complete responsibility to keep fostering, expanding, multiplying, and strengthening these connections."

Díaz-Canel conveyed greetings from the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, and also shared his fond memories of visiting South Africa.

The president viewed the current relations between Cuba and the sister African nation as a strength. He highlighted the significance of arranging meetings to address shared issues and challenges, continuing collaborative efforts to develop our cadres and exchange experiences, and staying united in the struggle against empire, neoliberalism, and exploitation.

He also highlighted the strategy we should adopt in response to the new ultraconservative trends appearing globally, particularly the revival of fascism; the continuous revision of history; the hegemony of the United States; and all the challenges these present for our respective parties.

President Díaz-Canel remarked on the approval of the Commemorative Program for the Centennial of the Commander-in-Chief's birth during the recent 10th Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba. He mentioned that South African friends could participate in these activities.

The Secretary General of the SACP expressed his appreciation for the warm reception he has received since arriving on the island, describing the visit as "an ideological visit, one of solidarity with the Cuban Revolution and all the sacrifices Cuba has made for Africa and the world."

He emphasized that this visit is fundamentally aimed at breaking the isolation they wish to impose on Cuba, countering fascist tendencies, and specifically opposing the shameful blockade policy against the island.

At the conclusion of the exchange, both delegations participated in the signing ceremony for the Exchange and Cooperation Agreement between the Communist Party of Cuba and the South African Communist Party. The agreement was signed by Solly Mapaila and Roberto Morales Ojeda, a member of the Political Bureau and Organization Secretary.

The purpose of this agreement is to enhance and broaden the longstanding friendship, cooperation, and solidarity between the two parties. It also reaffirms their mutual commitment to continue fostering cooperation, dialogue, communication, political education, mutual learning, and trust between them.

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