March 23 marked the 20th anniversary of the 1988 Cuito Cuanavale battle in which Angolan, Namibian and Cuban forces fought shoulder to shoulder against the South African army. The battle helped bring about the independence of Namibia and end South Africa’s racist apartheid system.
For the first time, ceremonies were held in Angola commemorating the soldiers and civilians who gave their lives in the struggle for freedom, liberation and an end to racism.
Jacob Zuma, leader of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress, spoke to Angolan, Cuban, Namibian and Russian dignitaries in the capital, Luanda. He specifically thanked Cuba for their sacrifices and solidarity.
Cuba was the only non-African country to send soldiers to help defeat apartheid South Africa’s invasion of revolutionary Angola. At least 5,000 Angolans and Cubans died in the battle of Cuito Cuanavale.
