Political parties largely support Cuba’s call for SA to mobilise against US-imposed sanctions

Political parties in Parliament have largely thrown their weight behind the Cuban government’s call for South Africa to mobilise international support for United States (US)-imposed sanctions to be lifted against it.

However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Wednesday walked out of a meeting of Parliament’s International Relations Committee at which the Cuban ambassador Fakri Rodriguez Pineto made the appeal, saying South Africa’s partnerships with Cuba have yielded little benefit for South Africa.

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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), however, said government should back the Cubans at all costs, even if it means the US considers sanctions against South Africa.

EFF Member of Parliament (MP) Nqobile Mhlongo said South Africa must continue its trade and education partnerships with Cuba and not feel threatened by US pressures.

She appealed to government to help get fuel to the country.

“We are inspired by the people of Cuba to never give in to the lunatics of the US and to continue the fight.”

She was backed by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s Wesley Douglas, who said the US blockade is a crime against humanity, and the Department of International Relations, through its African Renaissance Fund, should speed up financial support to Cuba.

But the DA’s Ryan Smith said the committee had turned the meeting into a political conference and, instead, should be re-evaluating its trade partnerships with Cuba.

“As a percentage of total exports, South Africa’s exports to Cuba make up a mere 0.3%, which is negligible and doesn’t necessarily bring in any economic benefit to the republic.”

Smith said the loans granted to Cuba could be better spent to feed South Africans.

He then left the meeting.

Committee chairperson Supra Mahumapelo, however, said, ideally, a new loan to Cuba from the African Renaissance Fund should be written off, but the Government of National Unity (GNU) government would not allow it.

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