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CAPE TOWN, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Parliament on Thursday passed a special motion of condolence in honor of late Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
This was the first time in history that South Africa's Parliament passed a motion of this nature on a world political figure.
This represents a significant recognition of the contribution Castro and the people of Cuba played in the liberation of the South African and African people against apartheid and imperialism, the ruling African National Congress' (ANC) Chief Whip Office said in a statement emailed to Xinhua.
The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) opposed this motion and staged a walkout.
Castro and the Cuban people are credited with aiding South African freedom fighters in exile and continuing to support South Africa since the end of apartheid.
Castro addressed the South African parliament in 1998 where he reiterated Cuba's solidarity to South Africa.
South Africa continues to have great relations with Cuba through various government efforts, the most prominent being the medical training of South African students in Cuba.
"As we dip our revolutionary flag in honor of this great revolutionary and a dependable ally of our glorious land, we take lessons from his selfless service to the people of Cuba and the oppressed of this world," said Moloto Mothapo, spokesperson of the ANC Chief Whip Office.
The ANC Caucus in Parliament will be sending a delegation to Cuba as part of a multi-party parliamentary delegation to Castro's funeral, which is scheduled to take place this Sunday.
Castro passed away on November 25 at the age of 90. Enditem
