• Submitted by: admin
• Local
• Africa
• Arts and Culture
• Havana
• International
• personalities
• Society
• Personalities
• Politics and Government
• 04 / 16 / 2009

---

During a ceremony held at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Havana, the executive director of the South African National Heritage Council, Sonwabile Mancotywa, explained that Ubuntu is an African philosophy about solidarity and ethics, human values and dedication to humanity. "In this sense, Fidel is one of the most outstanding men of out times", he said.

 "We have a huge debt of gratitude to the Commander in Chief and with the Cuban people", Mancotywa added after presenting the award, specially conceived for the occasion and which depicts the African continent held by the hands of Fidel Castro.

 During the ceremony, attended by Cuban VP Esteban Lazo, Abel Prieto highlighted the significance of this recognition and recalled that Cuba and South Africa have indissoluble ties that were born during their common struggle against Apartheid.

 The award ceremony was also attended by Cuban Deputy FM Marcos Rodriguez; the president of the Cuban Friendship Institute (ICAP), Kenia Serrano; and Miguel Barnet, President of the Cuban Union of Artists and Writers (UNEAC).

 The Ubuntu Award was granted to Fidel Castro last September. The award has also been granted to former presidents Nelson Mandela, of South Africa, and Kenneth Kaunda, of Zambia.
 
Two weeks ago, the South African Government also granted Fidel Castro its highest distinction, the Oliver Tambo Order, for his struggle against Apartheid and the development of relations with the new South African nation.

(Escambray)