Mashatile and Cubas Ambassador Reaffirm Historic Partnership as South Africa Looks to Deepen Cooperation

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has received a courtesy visit in Johannesburg from Cuba's Ambassador to South Africa, Fakri Rodríguez Pinelo, in a diplomatic engagement that reaffirmed the enduring friendship between the two countries and renewed their shared commitment to cooperation, solidarity and development. The meeting, held on Friday, 5 June 2026, was described by the Presidency as an opportunity to strengthen historically friendly relations between the governments and peoples of South Africa and Cuba, while also acknowledging Cuba's continued willingness to deepen bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of both nations.The relationship between South Africa and Cuba is one of the country's most historically significant international partnerships. It is rooted in Cuba's support for South Africa's liberation struggle and has continued into the democratic era through cooperation in areas that directly affect people's lives. During the meeting, Mashatile and Ambassador Rodríguez Pinelo reflected on this history, noting that both countries remain bound by shared values of sovereignty, multilateralism, respect for international law, peace and South-South cooperation. These principles have shaped the relationship for decades and continue to guide how both nations engage on global and developmental issues.Mashatile welcomed the strength of existing cooperation between South Africa and Cuba, particularly in health, education, infrastructure development, water and sanitation, science and innovation, sport, arts and cultural exchange. These areas remain strategic priorities because they speak directly to national development, skills transfer and service delivery. Cuba's contribution to South Africa's health sector, especially through medical cooperation and professional exchange, remains one of the most visible examples of the partnership. The relationship has also created opportunities for knowledge sharing in education, technical development and public-sector capacity building, showing that diplomacy can become practical when it supports communities, institutions and long-term national priorities.The Deputy President said South Africa remains committed to sustaining and strengthening cooperation with Cuba for the benefit of both peoples. His remarks positioned the visit as more than a ceremonial meeting; it was also a signal that South Africa wants to preserve historic friendships while adapting them to current development needs. As both countries face changing global pressures, including economic uncertainty, development financing challenges and shifting international alliances, partnerships built on solidarity and shared values remain important. The courtesy visit therefore carried a dual meaning: it honoured the past while preparing for future cooperation in sectors that can support social progress and institutional resilience.The meeting also comes ahead of South Africa's anticipated hosting of the 19th Session of the South Africa-Cuba Joint Consultative Mechanism later this year. This platform is expected to provide a structured space for both countries to review progress, identify new areas of cooperation and strengthen implementation across existing agreements. The Joint Consultative Mechanism is significant because it helps move bilateral relations from diplomatic goodwill into practical planning, allowing officials to coordinate programmes, address challenges and align future priorities.Mashatile also reaffirmed South Africa's solidarity with Cuba and expressed support for the lifting of the United States embargo and unilateral coercive measures against the island nation. According to the Presidency, South Africa views these measures as having caused serious humanitarian and socio-economic difficulties for the Cuban people. By raising this issue, South Africa once again placed its foreign policy position within a broader commitment to multilateralism, fairness and respect for the sovereignty of nations.The courtesy visit ultimately reinforced a relationship built on history, loyalty and shared development goals. For South Africa, the partnership with Cuba remains a reminder that international relations are not only about trade and formal agreements, but also about solidarity, people-to-people cooperation and the belief that countries of the Global South can support one another in building stronger, more resilient societies.