South Africa Increases Financial Links with Cuba

HAVANA. Cuba, Dec 7- South African President Jacob Zuma announced on Tuesday the granting of a new credit line of 220 million rands (30 million dollars) to Cuba, a country he described as an ally of the entire African continent.

While closing the Cuba-South Africa Business Forum, held for two days at Havana’s Hotel Nacional, Zuma also announced the extension of credit guarantees to the value of 70 million rands, which will back South African exports to the island.

In addition, he also announced South Africa’s willingness to support Cuba with 14 million rands worth of seeds and fertilizers, in order to contribute to the island’s agricultural development.

The head of state said he was pleased because the main business organizations of his country were represented in the forum, to talk about and explore possibilities of trade between the two countries, in a way that bilateral economic bonds can be strengthened.

He expressed the gratitude of his government and people for the support given by the islandin the offering of essential services to the South African people, by way of programs in the fields of health, social development, housing and public infrastructure.

He also expressed his appreciation for the presence of over 400 Cuban professionals, among them architects, engineers and physicians, who’re now offering their services in communitiesof that African country.

Ricardo Cabrisas, Vice-president of the Council of Ministers, stated that those working inthe economic sphere in the two countries are responsible for creating favorable conditions to materialize the objectives agreed in this meeting.

Cabrisas highlighted the absolute willingness of the Cuban party to progress in the deepening, strengthening and diversification of economic bonds between Cuba and South Africa.

Also participating in the ceremony were Estrella Madrigal, president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba; Rodrigo Malmierca, Minister for Foreign Trade and Investment, and Robert Davis, South Africa’s Minister of Commerce and Industry. (acn)

Cuban Vice President Received by South Africa's New President

HAVANA, Cuba. South African President Jacob Zuma met with visiting Cuban Vice President Esteban Lazo on Sunday.

According to Granma daily, the fourth South African President after the Apartheid's defeat was accompanied by former Foreign Minister and present Interior Minister Nkosazana Zuma.

Lazo conveyed greetings from Cuban President Raul Castro and from the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, and presented Jacob Zuma with a message from Raul congratulating him for the victory of the African National Congress (ANC) and his election as President of the South African nation.

Lazo also thanked South Africa for its support of Cuba in the struggle against Washington's economic blockade and its solidarity after the devastation caused successive hurricanes last year.

For his part, Zuma thanked the Cuban delegation for their participation in his inauguration. "The ceremony would not have been complete without Cuba's presence," said Zuma.

"Cubans have always proved that their friendship is authentic and that we can count on them 100 percent," stressed the South African president. He also sent greetings to Fidel and Raul and expressed his interest in strengthening relations between the two nations.

During the inauguration ceremony on Saturday, Esteban Lazo met with several leaders attending the event. The Cuban vice president met andexchanged greetings with a group of heads of state and government and personalities from Angola, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

Lazo also met with King Letsie III of Lesotho and with Namibian President Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba. He had earlier held meetings with the vicepresident of Iran, with the president of the Commission of the AfricanUnion and with former South African President Thabo Mbeki.

(Presidente electo de Sudáfrica recibe a Esteban Lazo)

South African Presdent Receives Cuban Vice President

HAVANA, Cuba. South African President Kgalema Motlanthe met on Friday with Cuban Vice President Esteban Lazo at the presidential presidence in Pretoria, immediately after Lazo arrived to Johannesburg from Botswana.

President Motlanthe, also the vice president of the African National Congress (ANC), noted with pride the special fraternal relations between uba and his country, “for the significant contribution of Cubans to African independence and the struggle against Apartheid,” reported Granma
newspaper.

Lazo congratulated the ANC for its recent electoral victory saying that undoubtedly shows the confidence that the South African people have in the organization. He said it was further motivation to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishing of diplomatic relations between the two countries to take place on May 11.

On Saturday, the Cuban delegation headed by Lazo will attend the inauguration ceremony of the new South African President.

The Cuban delegation came from concluding an official visit to Botswana, where the Lazo met with President Seretse Khama Ian Khama, who thanked Cuba for its contribution to his country's development in healthcare, education and sports. The Botswanan president reaffirmed his interest in consolidating bilateral relations and widening exchanges in tourism,
cattle raising, agriculture and mining.

(Presidente de Sudfrica recibe a Esteban Lazo)

South African Defense Minister Pays Homage to Internationalists

HAVANA, Cuba, April 27 (acn) Charles Ngakula, South Africa´s Minister of National defense, said this Monday he was honored to pay homage to the Cuban internationalists who gave their lives for the freedom of Africa and other nations of the world.

Ngakula laid a wreath at the Pantheon of those who fell for the independence of their Homeland, located at Havana´s Colon Cemetery. The South African official was accompanied by Cuban Division General Antonio Enrique Luson Battle and Brigadier General Delsa Esther Puebla.

In statements to ACN news agency, the South African Minister, who is meeting an official agenda in Cuba, said that there is a great understanding in his country about the meaning of the Cuban Revolution.

This is a solemn place, not only for Cubans but also for those who received the assistance of the small Caribbean nation he said and added that though their remains rest here, they are alive in everybody´s memory due to their courage and heroism, he stressed.

Charles Ngakula pointed out that this homage is closely related to South Africa´s Independence Day, whose 15th anniversary is celebrated today as those that gave their lives for that country´s freedom are always remembered.

The African Minister said it was a great honor for him and his accompanying delegation to mark this date in Havana, because it connects them directly with the history of all liberation struggles.

Referring to his country’s current projects, Ngakula mentioned the mitigation of poverty in the first place, since there are still people suffering this scourge; and facing the economic world crisis.

Only unity will allow us to move forward in the face of these challenges, he concluded.

(Titular sudafricano de Defensa honra a internacionalistas)