Last April Bob Hawke opened the exhibition “Memories of the Struggle” at the Museum
of Australian Democracy (Old Parliament House). The exhibition explores
Australia’s involvement and leadership in the struggle to end apartheid in
South Africa. Nelson Mandela was reportedly overwhelmed by the response he
received in Australia when he visited in 1990, four years prior to being
elected leader of his country.
South Africa when
he attended Mandela’s funeral in December 2013. In fact Raul was one of only
six foreign leaders invited to speak at the funeral. The chairperson of the
African National Congress introduced Raul as follows: “we will now get an address
from a tiny island of people who liberated us … the people of Cuba.”People
will also remember the warm reception Raul Castro received in
Nelson
Mandela described the Cuban Army’s success against South Arica in Angola as
“destroying the myth of the invincibility of the white oppressor… (and)
inspiring the South African people”. He claimed “Cuito Cuanavale was the
turning point for the liberation of our continent.”
Many
factors lead to the demise of apartheid, not the least being the power of
Mandela, however Australia and Cuba can lay credit together in being instrumental
in the liberation of South Africa from the scourge of apartheid.
Log
onto: http://moadoph.gov.au/exhibitions/memories-of-the-struggle/
for more information on the exhibition
The exhibition will be
on display for 12 months.
