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How Africa was rid of apartheid
Did you know that a tiny poor little nation in Latin America responded to a request by the Angolans in 1975 to fight the apartheid regime of South Africa, that was invading their country?
Cuba sent 375 000 troops to Angola and fought a 16 year long war along side their Angolan brothers. Has the world ever seen anything like this? The stalinists in the Soviet Union said they couldn't help Cuba in case of an US invasion "because Cuba was too far away". Mind you, Cuba is closer to the Soviet Union than Cuba is to Angola! Yet this little country from across the huge Atlantic Ocean came to help and fight apartheid. They sent large numbers of troops and tanks, etc.
They fought, and won. Thanks to the Cubans solidary, the rulers of South Africa were forced to sign an agreement with Angola and Cuba to withdraw forces from Angola and grant Namibia independence. Nelson Mandela was freed from prison and ANC was unbanned. Cuba was also a decisive factor during the 1970's in winning independence of the Portuguese empire's colonies in Africa like Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cap Verde, Sao Tomé & Principe. They have also been in internationalist missions to Algeria, the Congo, etc, and the Cubans have also aided Somalia, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Benin, Equatorial Guinea...
“In this action the [Cuban] revolution staked everything, it staked its own existence, it risked a huge battle against one of the strongest powers located within the third world, against one of the richest powers, with significant industrial and technologial development, armed to the teeth, at such a great distance from our small country and with our own resource, our own arms.”–Commander in Chief, Fidel Castro
“From our efforts in Africa, the Cubans brought back nothing material for Cuba. Only our wounded and dead, and the satisfaction of a duty fulfilled.”–General Chui
All they brought back to Cuba was their dead - no oil or other natural resources.
The Cubans also supported Blacks in the US during Jim Crow. Fidel Castro touched on this in his classic speeches “First and Second Declarations of Havana” (1960 & 1962). He also met with Malcolm X in Harlem in 1960.
“[A people] that is not willing to fight for the freedom of others will never be ready to fight for his own.”–Fidel Castro
If you want to read more about Cuba and their role in Africa, these are the books you should get:
Our History Is Still Being Written (www.pathfinderpress.com)
Conflicting Missions: Havana, Washington, and Africa, 1959-1976 (www.amazon.com)
How Far We Slaves Have Come! Nelson Mandela & Fidel Castro (www.pathfinderpress.com)
A great documentary on Cuba in Africa: BBC Storyville "Cuba! Africa! Revolution!"
(I attached a snippet.)
Cuba sent 375 000 troops to Angola and fought a 16 year long war along side their Angolan brothers. Has the world ever seen anything like this? The stalinists in the Soviet Union said they couldn't help Cuba in case of an US invasion "because Cuba was too far away". Mind you, Cuba is closer to the Soviet Union than Cuba is to Angola! Yet this little country from across the huge Atlantic Ocean came to help and fight apartheid. They sent large numbers of troops and tanks, etc.
They fought, and won. Thanks to the Cubans solidary, the rulers of South Africa were forced to sign an agreement with Angola and Cuba to withdraw forces from Angola and grant Namibia independence. Nelson Mandela was freed from prison and ANC was unbanned. Cuba was also a decisive factor during the 1970's in winning independence of the Portuguese empire's colonies in Africa like Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cap Verde, Sao Tomé & Principe. They have also been in internationalist missions to Algeria, the Congo, etc, and the Cubans have also aided Somalia, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Benin, Equatorial Guinea...
“In this action the [Cuban] revolution staked everything, it staked its own existence, it risked a huge battle against one of the strongest powers located within the third world, against one of the richest powers, with significant industrial and technologial development, armed to the teeth, at such a great distance from our small country and with our own resource, our own arms.”–Commander in Chief, Fidel Castro
“From our efforts in Africa, the Cubans brought back nothing material for Cuba. Only our wounded and dead, and the satisfaction of a duty fulfilled.”–General Chui
All they brought back to Cuba was their dead - no oil or other natural resources.
The Cubans also supported Blacks in the US during Jim Crow. Fidel Castro touched on this in his classic speeches “First and Second Declarations of Havana” (1960 & 1962). He also met with Malcolm X in Harlem in 1960.
“[A people] that is not willing to fight for the freedom of others will never be ready to fight for his own.”–Fidel Castro
If you want to read more about Cuba and their role in Africa, these are the books you should get:
Our History Is Still Being Written (www.pathfinderpress.com)
Conflicting Missions: Havana, Washington, and Africa, 1959-1976 (www.amazon.com)
How Far We Slaves Have Come! Nelson Mandela & Fidel Castro (www.pathfinderpress.com)
A great documentary on Cuba in Africa: BBC Storyville "Cuba! Africa! Revolution!"
(I attached a snippet.)
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Cuba! Africa! Revolution!.wmv, 9.3 MB
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by SUMMERTIME (Amanda) on -
NO LOVE FOR CUBA, EY?
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Permalink Reply by Talib Kweli on -
Amanda, stop being so damn aggressive damn! lol you the one bussin shots first by calling people crazy. Everyone has a right to their opinion love. You can make your point much better without the anger. Just my opinion, I LOVE your participation in the world, and on this blog...
SUMMERTIME (Amanda) said:NO LOVE FOR CUBA, EY?
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Permalink Reply by SUMMERTIME (Amanda) on
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I know Cuba is my "achilles heel"...
"It takes a more intelligent man to squash a fight than to set one off, knowledge I'll let some off"
But i'll have you disrespect my whole family tree before you disrespect Fidel or the Cuban revolution
Not saying the Cubans make everything perpect... no one's perfect....
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Permalink Reply by Nicodemus on -
Wow! Tienes una boca de basura vzzz. Como una chica tan bonita! habla como un cerdo..??? Sin respeto? This is how people with oppossing ideas get murdered by oppressive regimes! Because people are unable to reason with getting violent and then it TURNS TO WAR!
There is an old African proverb which states "there is 3 sides to the truth, your side, my side, and the TRUTH.. And everyone is trying to pull the truth to their side.. Yet the Truth stands firm in the center.." If you talked with InI 10 yrs ago I probably would be supporting everything you say.. Everything.... But after much investigation with Cuban exiles, Cuban revolutionaries, pro- castro, anti- castro, Ethiopians pro-Selassie, pro- Mengistu, Sandinistas in Nicaragua, Contras in Nicaragua I have come to InI own opinions. And these opinions have changed as I have grown older in yrs and have opened my mind to seeing both sides, I come up with my own ideas which InI am entitled to.... This is something I would not be entitled to under the rule of Mengistu or Castro.
I have studied very closely Haile Selassie and it is a known fact that Haile Selassie I was the first Ethiopian King to abolish slavery in 1932.. This was one of the first things he did as KIng. Fact. Now I am not saying Selassie I was perfect, nor the Supreme God, as the Christians worship Christ. in each of US live the energy/Spirit of all the ALMIGHTY JAH... Or whatever name you wish to choose. Energy can be neither created nor destroyed.. "I found out that heaven and hell exist right here on Earth. Word. I studied with Rastafarians. Found out from the dreads that hell is called Babylon and that's where the crazy bald heads dwell..... So it all sound the same to me, but when they say one is right and the other wrong it sound like all game to me....." TK
But in InI eyes if one looks at Ethiopia before 1974 and after you will see the destruction that has taken place. And Cuba was in support of this through the 80's.. That is all I am saying. I do not deny the fact that Cuba/Castro has had many positive influences on the African continent. The road to HELL is paved with good intentions. And this is what I have found. Putting myself in the shoes of others I would not of liked to have all of my rights taken away from me and controlled by military regimes.. Just not my thing.. Social programs great, medical programs fantastic, so many good things.. But......... It's like the States a lot of good tings, yet the oppression that exist locally, globally, the killing, the war.. es locura! Babylonia...
"My rap's the holy gas in your bag, like Palestinians, Ancient Abyssinia, sure to hold the Gideon, Official b-boy gentlemen"
Respecto,
Ras Trece <> Nicodemus
Talib Kweli said:Amanda, stop being so damn aggressive damn! lol you the one bussin shots first by calling people crazy. Everyone has a right to their opinion love. You can make your point much better without the anger. Just my opinion, I LOVE your participation in the world, and on this blog...
SUMMERTIME (Amanda) said:NO LOVE FOR CUBA, EY?
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Permalink Reply by Jai on -
Wow this is a passionate and informative conversation to witness...I just wanted to say that I saw a movie called ENDGAME recently about the end of Apartheid that I thought was good...but this forum wasn't really about what the title suggested....or at least what I thought it was gonna be....
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Permalink Reply by SUMMERTIME (Amanda) on
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"Putting myself in the shoes of others I would not of liked to have all of my rights taken away from me and controlled by military regime"
I guess no one does?! What kind of thing is this to say... Are you implying that Cuba is a military regime and where people's rights have been taken away? Hah! Yeah, you sure dug deep to come to that conclusion. :-/
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Permalink Reply by Nicodemus on
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Wow.I am not implying. This seems to be the reality.. If you notice Castro he is a military man. I believe many of your photos show him in military attire?? It began with military and that's how it still is controlled.
Castro built up the second largest armed forces in Latin America; only Brazil's were larger From 1975 until the late 1980s, Soviet military assistance enabled Cuba to upgrade its military capabilities.
The military has long been the most powerful, influential, and competent official institution in Cuba, and high-ranking generals play crucial roles in all conceivable succession scenarios. Entonces- military run da show.. And anyone stepping out of line is taken care of properly or silenced.... They have spent more on military and foreign affairs than helping their own people. Same problem that exist in the States..
And how do you think Castro lives? Live a peasant or a rich man? How about the rest of the military leaders and politicians.? How many 100's of 1,000's of people have left Cuba in the past 10 yrs/20 yrs? Risking their lives.... How many people are silenced...?
2. You curse Haile Selassie I and you praise a Cuban for his work in Africa. If it wasn't for Haile Selassie I THERE WOULD BE NOOOOO AFRICA... Check the history. Haile Selassie I spent his life working for the organization of African Unity. Overstand...? Haile Selassie was working for all of the foreign powers to stop F-ckin with AFrican and was calling for all AFrican leaders to RISE up and lead their own countries without selling out... So if you do not know well Selassie or the history of Ethiopia try to go easy with your bashing because the cause and effect of words return...
And then you have Castro with a Man like Mugabe in Zimbabwe... A man that has welcomed Mengistu to seek asylum in his country after he has been convicted of genocide.. GENOCIDE.. This ain't no joke ting.
Now you are great cause I know you must be a woman looking for justice in da world and have seen many positive influence of Cuban social programs. And I admire your passion and enjoy a good reasoning. But we just ain't going to see eye to eye on this one. I just hope you don't support those who would execute others who see things in a different light.
PAZ
SUMMERTIME (Amanda) said:"Putting myself in the shoes of others I would not of liked to have all of my rights taken away from me and controlled by military regime"
I guess no one does?! What kind of thing is this to say... Are you implying that Cuba is a military regime and where people's rights have been taken away? Hah! Yeah, you sure dug deep to come to that conclusion. :-/
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Permalink Reply by SUMMERTIME (Amanda) on
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Fidel was the commander in chief, i guess him dressing that way is symbolic...because it doesnt take one day or one week or one year to make a revolution. The revolution has been in process every day during these 50 and a half years. It's a constant struggle...
But Cuba is not a military regime, in that sense that the military rules society!!!!
In a lot of countries, the military has worked like a sect and then over-thrown goverments. Like in Honduras most recently. And in Thailand the other year ago. Etc... The military in those countries have political power.
This is not the case of Cuba!!!!!!!! Again!!!!!!
Also there is no military presence IN Cuba, there are no tanks in the streets and the military has never and will never attack THEIR OWN CITIZENS.
Cuba has a strong military power, to protect themselves from their neighbor, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Remember the US-backed invasion of Cuba in 1961??????? Also, they used their military in other countries to help liberate those countries.
"Castro built up the second largest armed forces in Latin America; only Brazil's were larger From 1975 until the late 1980s"
For sure... Cuba sent hundred of thousands troops to Angola and other African during this time.
"Live a peasant or a rich man? How about the rest of the military leaders and politicians.?"
They live humble actually... Politicans dont make the kind of loot politicans in other countries does.
For example, the politicans in the Cuban parliament earn a workers' wage!!!
"How many 100's of 1,000's of people have left Cuba in the past 10 yrs/20 yrs? Risking their lives.... How many people are silenced...?"
How many fled to Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico (neighboring countries?) How many went to the US?
Since ALL refugees go to the US and none of the other POOR, neighboring countries. I will assume most of them went for ECONOMIC reasons, not POLITICAL reasons. Like i already told ya, the first generations were the CAPITALIST CLASS that fled. In the 80's and 90's however, regular folks also emmigrated. Most of them will however admit their motive was ECONOMIC!!!!!! Hence, Miami has changed in recent years. You will even find pro-Cubass there now. You have MASS IMMIGRANTION TO THE UNITED STATES FROM ALLLLL OF LATIN AMERICA. Comprendes?
"You curse Haile Selassie I and you praise a Cuban for his work in Africa. If it wasn't for Haile Selassie I THERE WOULD BE NOOOOO AFRICA... "
I praise Cuba for their SELFLESS SOLIDARITY! Whether it be to a Black people or a Latino people or WHOEVER. With this cleared out....
HA HAH HA HA HA HA HAAAAA @ no Africa without Haile Selassie. Heard of EGYPT, KEMET...TIMBUKTU????? Lol @ you rastafaris claiming a despot, a King, being the African civilization.....i dont care if he was releated to Jesus or whoever in the BIble....a lot of Kings in the west claim they were related to some noble people too....lol @ you praising a feodal ruler.
"Quien intente apoderarse de Cuba, recogerá el polvo de su suelo anegado en sangre, sino perece en la lucha." - Antonio Maceo
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Permalink Reply by SUMMERTIME (Amanda) on
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Jai: I havent seen that movie yet.... I'll try to download it.
It's also interesting how this thread wasnt what you had expected (what did you expect?)
The director of "Cuba: An African Odyssey" ("Cuba! Africa! Revolution!" is a BBC version of this same documentary) also has another documentary "Behind the Rainbow" that i havent peeped yet. But i'm going to South Africa in 3 weeks, so i hope to find some good DVD's that i can buy while i'm down there.
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Permalink Reply by Nicodemus on
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE8DqGAuVt0&feature=related
SUMMERTIME (Amanda) said:Jai: I havent seen that movie yet.... I'll try to download it.
It's also interesting how this thread wasnt what you had expected (what did you expect?)
The director of "Cuba: An African Odyssey" ("Cuba! Africa! Revolution!" is a BBC version of this same documentary) also has another documentary "Behind the Rainbow" that i havent peeped yet. But i'm going to South Africa in 3 weeks, so i hope to find some good DVD's that i can buy while i'm down there.
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Permalink Reply by SUMMERTIME (Amanda) on
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That's all?
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Permalink Reply by ogsend marged on -
I remember a few years ago they were in the news a lot because of Apartheid. Then they got rid of Apartheid...
weider x factor
Denta Smile MD
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