The South African Ambassador to Cuba, H.E. Phatse Justice Piitso, is joined by the leadership of the Cuban Communist Party and the Young Communist League in celebrating South Africa’s June 16 Youth Day

The South African Ambassador to Cuba, H.E. Phatse Justice Piitso; accompanied by a member of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party, Dr Rodolfo Puente Ferro; the Deputy President and Head of International Relations of the Association of Combatants of the Cuban Revolution, Victor Dreke Cruz; and the national leadership of the Young Communist League, laid a wreath at the bust of the late ANC President, Oliver Tambo, at the ceremony held at the African Founding Fathers Park, in Havana, to celebrate the June 16 Youth Day.

During this historic ceremony to mark the 34th anniversary of the Soweto Uprisings, Yenaivis Fuentes Ascencio, a member of the National Secretariat of the Cuban Youth League , praised the Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, for teaching them to honour the martyrs and heroes of the anti-apartheid struggle and to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood amongst the peoples of both Cuba and South Africa. She intimated that this year’s “International Youth Festival to be held in South Africa” will be dedicated to “the entire working class struggles against imperialism and for the unity of humanity, solidarity and internationalism”. She also praised the heroism of the South African youth for the pivotal role they played in fighting the forces of apartheid and colonialism in Africa and creating a better foundation for a better South Africa, free of exploitation and oppression.

This year in August about 30 members of the ANC Youth League will be visiting Cuba to further foster the good relations that are existing between the two sister organisations. The visit will also focus on how to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the Cuban and South African youths and how to construct a new world social order in the wake of the challenges that are facing young people in the world today.

The South African Ambassador to Cuba, Justice Piitso, appreciated the role that the Cuban Revolution played in the struggles against apartheid colonialism and defined the relationship between the people of Cuba and South Africa as a historic relationship built out of common struggles. He paid tribute to the outstanding leadership of the late President of the ANC, Oliver Tambo, and encouraged the young people of the world to emulate his exemplary leadership in the service of liberating the people. He also said that young people constitute an indestructible fortress of the future and that young people are the future of Humanity.

For more information contact Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Mr Saul Molobi on 082 940 1647 or email him at molobisk@dirco.gov.za

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag X152
Pretoria, 0001