Cuban president Raúl Castro has been hailed by ANC leaders as a comrade and a fighter in South Africa’s struggle for freedom.
ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa thanked Castro for the help his country had given South Africa in the past.
“We are joined at the hip in areas of development, such as with healthcare,” Ramaphosa told the crowd at Joburg’s FNB Stadium while introducing Castro.
Castro, who was loudly cheered by the crowd, said Mandela had a “dedication to the revolutionary struggle” for peace, justice and reconciliation.
He also said Mandela would not be remembered for the 27 years he spent in prison, but his generosity of spirit and for what he did for South Africa.