2005-10-12,+Cuba+and+Southern+African+Liberation,+SOAS,+London

= **CUBA AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN LIBERATION: A VIDEO PRESENTATION, WITH QUESTION, ANSWER & DISCUSSION** =

Room B111, School of Oriental and African Studies, Russell Square**
 * Wednesday, October 26, 17.00-18.30 (i.e., 5-6:30pm)

This video presentation and discussion will document Cuba's decisive role in achieving the independence of Namibia and ending apartheid in South Africa. It includes, among others, footage of Nelson Mandela's visit to Cuba and his moving speech in praise of the island's invaluable contribution to the liberation struggles of Africa; the critical 1988 Battle of Cuito Cuanavale and Fidel Castro's commentary, and interviews with soldiers and families from Cuba and South Africa.

Cuba's crucial role in ending racist rule in South Africa is little known in the West. November 5th, 2005 will be the 30th anniversary of Cuba's deployment of troops - at the explicit request of the government of the then newly-independent Angola - to repulse a large-scale South African invasion. The years 2005-2006 will also mark the 17th anniversary of the decisive battle with and defeat of the South African armed forces by combined Cuban, Angolan and Namibian troops at the town of Cuito Cuanavale in south-eastern Angola. In Africa the battle is often referred to as the African Stalingrad of the racist rule of apartheid-South Africa.

Willy Madisha, current president of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, unequivocally states: "The battle of Cuito Cuanavale liberated us!" The defeat at Cuito Cuanavale of the racist South African armed forces lead to the immediate independence of Namibia and hastened the dismantling of apartheid. Thus, the battle of Cuito Cuanavale ended Pretoria's dream of establishing hegemony in the Southern Africa region as a means by which to extend the life of the apartheid regime. Cuba's contribution was vital as it provided the essential reinforcements, material and planning.

None other than Nelson Mandela declared that "the Cuban internationalists have made a contribution to African independence, freedom and justice unparalleled for its principled and selfless character."

Dominic Tweedie, of Johannesburg, exhorts us not to "forget that Cubans shed blood in Angola for the sake of the liberation of all Southern Africa." Indeed, Cuba is often described as the only foreign country to have gone to Africa and gone away with nothing but the coffins of its sons and daughters who died in the struggles to liberate Africa.

In outlining the significance of Cuba's assistance to African liberation struggles, Amilcar Cabral the celebrated leader of the liberation struggle in Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde, poignantly stated: "I don't believe in life after death, but if there is, we can be sure that the souls of our forefathers who were taken away to America to be slaves are rejoicing today to see their children reunited and working together to help us be independent and free."

Cuba demonstrates that the vision of international relations based on sisterhood& brotherhood is not a fanciful dream. Cuba shows that another and better world is possible.

Thenjiwe Mtintso, South Africa's ambassador to Cuba affirms: "No country has given as much to the world as Cuba. No country has received so little materially from the world as Cuba."

Keith Ellis, a Cuba specialist at the University of Toronto, underscores: "Humanity owes Cuba an enormous debt. In the history of humankind there has been no country as generous as Cuba."

Cuba's internationalism is unique in the annals of history. Cuba's example is a profound challenge to those who believe and argue that only realpolitic, national self-interest, and the pursuit of power and wealth are guides, determinants and sources of foreign policy. Cuba's role in Angola illustrates the division between those who fight for the cause of freedom, liberation and justice, to repel invaders and colonialists, and those who fight against just causes, those who wage war to occupy, colonize and oppress.

From Comrade Clive Swan in London.