Cuban president meets with leaders of Tripartite Alliance in South Africa

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel exchanged on Wednesday in Pretoria, with the leaders of the Tripartite Alliance that governs South Africa since the fall of the apartheid regime in 1992.

The alliance is made up of the South African Communist Party (SACP), the African National Congress (ANC) and the Cosatu Trade Union Confederation.

At the meeting, which took place in the morning at the Freedom Park, Nkosinathi Emmanuel "Nathi" Mthethwa, South African Minister of Arts and Culture, welcomed the head of state, to whom he expressed the willingness of his country's government to maintain the relationship with Cuba in the areas of education and health.

For his part, Díaz-Canel considered it extremely important that one of the first activities after his arrival in South Africa was in that place that honors those who fought for the freedom of Africa.

Afterwards, the head of state conveyed greetings from Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban Revolution, to the leaders, and extended greetings to the militants and associates of the respective organizations of the alliance.

The Cuban head of state highlighted the importance of the meeting, which he considered an opportunity to talk with the representatives and leaders of the main political forces of South Africa.

He also stressed his appreciation for the genuine way in which the Tripartite Alliance keeps the progressive forces of the nation nucleated in terms of the country's development.

Díaz-Canel recalled the historical basis of relations between the two countries, and alluded to the indestructible friendship between two of their great leaders: Nelson Mandela and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro.

Referring to issues specific to the political groups representing both nations, Díaz-Canel emphasized the similarity of the emergence of new leaderships, which shows that the new generations, by natural processes of life, are occupying the main responsibilities of the State, the Government, the Party and the organizations.

"This imposes new challenges in the relations, which must continue to be consolidated," he added, with the objective of guaranteeing that their future is one of development, expansion, improvement and multiplication.

After updating those present on the complex economic and social situation of the island, the Cuban president assured that, if it has been possible to defeat the empire in its purposes, it is also thanks to the help and solidarity of friends.

The dignitary thanked South Africa for its support in denouncing the U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, making clear the rejection of the inclusion of the largest Antillean island in the list of countries that allegedly support terrorism.

He also thanked for the help provided in the organization of the VII Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba, to be held in the coming months.

"We have the will from our Party, he affirmed, to continue strengthening and further tightening relations with all the organizations of the Tripartite Alliance".