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The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) would like to join the international community and all progressive forces around the world including the people of Cuba in celebrating 94 years since the birth of one of Cuba’s most revered revolutionaries Comrade Fidel Castro. 

Comrade Fidel Castro led the revolution in Cuba that overthrew the government of Batista in 1959 and introduced socialism.

He became the first Prime Minister of Socialist Cuba from 1961 to 1976 and President from 1976 to 2008. At the same time, he was the First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party from 1961 to 2011. Under his leadership, Cuba manages to eradicate illiteracy, reduce inequality and boost one of the best and advance health systems.

Fidel Castro is one of the exceptional revolutionary leaders in recorded world history. His life, heroic example, ethics, integrity, and, above all else, his revolutionary and socialist ideas, made a huge impact on 20th Century history and world politics that can never be buried by imperialist propaganda.

Cuba is also one of the leading political powers in the international solidarity movement. Cuba took part in almost most of the liberation struggles in Africa including the battle of Cuito Canavallo where the apartheid forces were defeated in Angola.

NUM values the ideals that this revolutionary stood for and the relationship and friendship between the people of Cuba and South Africa. NUM will continue to be part of the solidarity movement in support of the people of Cuba against the imperial onslaught of Donald Trump and his imperialist forces. 

Issued by The National Union of Mineworkers