Pretoria.—Thembisile “Thembi” Majola, deputy minister of Energy of the Republic of South Africa, stated that Cuba represents the highest expression of internationalism in the world.

This is evidenced by the presence of thousands of Cuban doctors, nurses, teachers and professionals in general throughout Africa and elsewhere, the deputy minister noted in an interview with Prensa Latina, recalling her exile, studies in Cuba in the 1980s, return to South Africa and the current challenges facing the country.

She praised the “two decades of official cooperation between the two countries” (with February 2016 marking the anniversary), but made it clear that Cuba’s friendship with the African National Congress (ANC) is “strong and dates back long before,” demonstrated in particular by the island’s contribution to the freedom of South Africa.

“I am a result of this cooperation between Cuba and the ANC,” Majola explained, adding that she traveled to the Caribbean territory from her “exile in Zambia.”

“Many Africans, Latin Americans, Caribbeans… have been educated in Cuba. And it is admirable because you have no diamonds, no gold, no significant resources, but the heart and the spirit of solidarity,” stressed Majola, who studied for several years on the island.

She added that her time in Cuba was very happy, living among students from almost 50 different countries.

On completing her studies in Cuba, Majola traveled to Tanzania and then Angola. In May 1990, four months after the release of Nelson Mandela, she returned to South Africa where, among other tasks, she participated in the organization of the ANC Women’s League, within the new national context.