Sign books of condolence for Castro‚ Zuma urges

President Jacob Zuma said South Africa shares “the loss of the Cuban people and stand with them in this time of grief and mourning”.

He urged all South Africans to show solidarity with the people of Cuba‚ following the death of former president Fidel Castro‚ by signing books of condolence at the Union Buildings in Pretoria‚ Tuynhuys in Cape Town and at the offices of premiers in all provinces.

This‚ the president said‚ would express “their appreciation for the role Cuba played in decolonising southern Africa”.

Zuma this week travelled to Havana to attend the official mass memorial service for Castro‚ who passed away November 25 aged 90.

“The late President Castro not only identified with the struggle against apartheid‚ but also inspired the Cuban people to join South Africans in that struggle‚” a Presidency statement said.

“After South Africa gained freedom in 1994‚ Cuba and South Africa‚ under President Castro and President Nelson Mandela respectively‚ formed a strong bond of solidarity and friendship.

“A significant number of South African individuals and organisations have over a number of years established strong political and cultural relations with Cuban partners and allies and the signing of condolence books allows South Africans to maintain this sense of solidarity.”