Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma on Monday received the highest honour Cuba bestows on a foreign Head of State in honour of his struggles and activities carried out in liberating the people of South Africa.
The award, bearing the name of Cuba's national hero Jose Marti, was presented to him by Cuban President Raul Castro Ruz.
"I am humbled to accept this award on behalf of the people of South Africa whose ties to Cuba remain unbreakable, because they were forged in the long and bitter struggle against apartheid," Zuma said in his acceptance speech.
Marti devoted his entire life to ending colonial rule in Cuba and preventing Cuba from falling under the control of any country whose political ideologies were inimical to the principles he held.
Zuma said Marti's life and writing inspired the African National Congress.
"Marti may never have lived to see an independent Cuba but his greatest accomplishment was the way he managed to unite Cuban freedom fighters in exile and on the island," said Zuma, adding that he was an inspiration ensuring that relations between Cuba and South Africa grew deeper.
Zuma also acknowledged South Africa and Cuba's similar socio-economic interests and their long-standing cooperation. He said Cuba occupied a prominent place in the history of the struggle for, and the achievement of, freedom on the African continent.
"Cuba also continues to play an exemplary role in promoting international solidarity as well as progress in the areas of education, health and other scientific areas," said Zuma.
Zuma is in Cuba for a state visit aimed at consolidating bilateral and multilateral relations between the two countries.
Today, the Cuba-South Africa business forum will review areas of mutual interest between the two countries.
