[Sust-mar] SISTERS' & BROTHERS' KEEPER: CUBA AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN LIBERATION

[Isaac Saney]

FILM SCREENING

SISTERS' & BROTHERS' KEEPER: CUBA AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN LIBERATION

7pm, Tuesday, February 27
Room 1014
Rowe Management Building
6100 University Avenue
Dalhousie University

Sponsored by: Black Students Advising Centre and the Transition Year 
Program,
both at Dalhousie University, and the Nova Scotia Cuba Association
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SISTERS' & BROTHERS' KEEPER documents Cuba's decisive role in the struggle 
to
end racist rule in South Africa and in achieving the independence of 
Namibia.
It has been shown in the United States (New York, Detroit & Oakland), 
Britain
(London & Sheffield) and South Africa (Cape Town) and  includes, among 
others,
footage of Nelson Mandela's visit to Cuba and his moving speech in praise of
the island's invaluable contribution to the liberation struggles of Africa; 
the
critical 1988 Battle of Cuito Cuanavale and Fidel Castro's commentary, and
interviews with soldiers and families  from Cuba and South Africa. SISTERS' 
&
BROTHERS' KEEPER is produced by Isaac Saney and Mark Rushton.


_________________________________________________________________________

Cuba's crucial role in ending racist rule in South Africa is little known in 
the
West. In 1975, Cuba - at the explicit request of the government of the then
newly-independent Angola - deployed 36, 000 troops to repulse a large-scale
invasion by the racist South African state. Cuban troops remained for more 
than
15 years to defend Angola from South African aggression. During this period
more than 300, 000 Cubans served in Angola: not only as soldiers but also as
doctors, teachers, and engineers. More than 2, 000 Cubans died in defense of
Angolan independence and right of self-determination.

In 2007-2008, the South African armed forces were  decisively defeated by
combined Cuban, Angolan and Namibian troops at Cuito Cuanavale in 
south-eastern
Angola. The battle is often referred to as the African Stalingrad of 
apartheid
regime in South Africa. Cuba's contribution was vital as it provided the
essential reinforcements, material and planning.

The defeat at Cuito Cuanavale of the South African armed forces led to the
immediate independence of Namibia and accelerated the dismantling of 
apartheid.
Thus, the battle of Cuito Cuanavale ended Pretoria's dream of establishing
hegemony in the Southern Africa region as a means by which to extend the 
life
of the racist regime.

In 1991, Nelson Mandela poignantly stated "the Cuban internationalists have 
made
a contribution to African independence, freedom and justice unparalleled for
its principled and selfless character."

In 1998, Mandela further declared: "If today all South Africans enjoy the 
rights
of democracy; if they are able at last to address the grinding poverty of a
system that denied them even the most basic amenities of life, it is also
because of Cuba's selfless support for the struggle to free all of South
Africa's people and the countries of our region from the inhumane and
destructive system of apartheid. For that, we thank the Cuban people from 
the
bottom of our heart."

Indeed, Cuba is often described as the only foreign country to have gone to
Africa and gone away with nothing but the coffins of its sons and daughters 
who
died in the struggles to liberate Africa.

In outlining the significance of Cuba's assistance to African liberation
struggles,  Amilcar Cabral the celebrated leader of the anti-colonial and
national liberation struggle in Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde, stated: "I 
don't
believe in life after death, but if there is, we can be sure that the souls 
of
our forefathers who were taken away to America to be slaves are rejoicing 
today
to see their children reunited and working together to help us be 
independent
and free."

Thenjiwe Mtintso, South Africa's ambassador to Cuba affirms: "No country has
given as much to the world as Cuba. No country has received so little
materially from the world as Cuba."

Cuba's internationalism is unique in the annals of history. The island's 
example
is a profound challenge to those who believe and argue that only real 
politick,
national self-interest and the pursuit of power and wealth are - and can be 
-
the only guides, determinants and sources of foreign policy.

Cuba's role in Angola illustrates the division between those who fight  for 
the
cause of freedom, liberation and justice, to repel invaders and 
colonialists,
and those who fight against just causes, those who wage war to occupy, 
colonize
and oppress.

Cuba demonstrates that the vision of international relations based on
sisterhood& brotherhood is not a fanciful dream. Cuba shows that another and
better world is possible.

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