Lost it: The party’s deputy president, Paul Mashatile, was not amused by the union boo brigade. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
Deputy president Paul Mashatile has reiterated the ANC’s — and South Africa’s — support for the Cuban and Palestinian causes, saying this would continue, despite pressure from “influential” nations to abandon them.
Mashatile also called for the lifting of the US embargo against Cuba — which he described as the longest in history — and for increased support for the island nation from African states.
He made the demand that sanctions against Cuba be lifted at the seventh Cuba-Africa international solidarity conference in White River, Mpumalanga, on Monday.
His comments come at a time when South Africa faces a blacklash from the pro-Israel lobby internationally over the genocide charges it has brought against Israel for alleged crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Mashatile told delegates that the embargo against Cuba had been a “significant obstacle” to the country’s development, preventing trade between it and the US and marginalising the Cuban people.
“The ANC strongly condemns the unjustifiable US embargo against Cuba, waged as an economic war with a general fascination with persecution. We, as the ANC, are dedicated to fostering solidarity with the Cuban people and advocating for the United States to end the embargo on Cuba and completely withdraw from Guantanamo Bay,” he said.
Mashatile urged Africans to increase their contribution to humanitarian efforts to support Cuba and called on governments on the continent to increase trade relations with the island.
He also called on the international community to intervene.
“We urge the United Nations General Assembly to maintain a consistent and stronger stance by voting in favour of lifting the blockade,” he said.
Mashatile said that “influential” nations had urged the ANC to censure Cuba.
“Regrettably, other nations, including very influential ones, have urged us to denounce Cuba over the years. As a nation, it would be foolish for us to undermine the same foundation that has propelled us to our current state of progress,” he said.
“We have reminded those who want us to condemn Cuba that, throughout our struggle against apartheid and racial discrimination, the very same nations that now seek our denouncement were supporting the apartheid system. However, Cuba, despite its meagre resources, steadfastly remained by our side and provided assistance.”
South Africa remained committed to a more equitable and peaceful world order and called for the implementation of all UN resolutions, including the holding of a UN-supervised referendum on Western Sahara and the resolution of the Palestine question.
The country bringing a genocide case against Israel to the International Court of Justice over its actions in Gaza was a demonstration of this.
“We continue calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian interventions,” Mashatile said. “Our message to the world is clear and we should never be intimidated for raising our voice.
“We are not in favour of any kind of infringement of human rights, and we are not in favour of imperialist acts that attempt to degrade the dignity of individuals, regardless of their race, gender or religious affiliation.
“We support peace, and where there is a conflict of political ideologies, we call for peaceful resolutions,” he said.