Pretoria: International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola is set to host his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodrguez Parrilla, for bilateral talks in Pretoria on Monday, 10 March 2025. This meeting aims to strengthen the strategic bilateral relations and cooperation programs between South Africa and Cuba.
According to South African Government News Agency, the visit provides an opportunity for both Ministers to exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) emphasized the significance of Cuba as one of South Africa’s strategic partners in Latin America and the Caribbean.
DIRCO highlighted that the relationship between the two countries dates back to before the 1994 democratic elections, largely due to Cuba’s contribution to the liberation of South Africa and the fight against apartheid and colonialism. The two nations are connected by ties of culture, history, shared struggles, international solidarity, and a joint commitment to advancing the development agenda of the Global South.
The enduring collaboration between South Africa and Cuba is supported by numerous bilateral agreements in various sectors, including health, public works, education, and water and sanitation. Both countries’ foreign policies focus on peaceful conflict resolution, multilateralism, adherence to international law, and the importance of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security.