Castro meets Mandela + Cuba and ANC solidarity rally

(2 Sep 2001)

Johannesburg
1. Former South African President Nelson Mandela and Cuban leader Fidel Castro standing together
2. Photographer
3. Nelson and Castro
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa "It's a very great moment for us to be visited by Fidel because what he has done for us is difficult to put in words."
5. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Fidel Castro, Cuban President "First because I find my dear brother Mandela better than ever in excellent health, and secondly because I find him with the same enthusiasm he's always had."
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa "And I promised him I would discuss the matter with my office to say whether I can be in Cuba even before the end of this year that we'll discuss it."
7. Castro and Mandela hugging
8. Cameraman
9. Castro stands with Blade Nzimande, Head of South African Communist Party, Nzimande lifts his sweater to show his T-shirt bearing a picture of Mandela and Castro
10. Castro and Mandela
11. Castro walking away and crowd dispersing
12. Castro gets in car
13. Mandela waves

Durban
14. Interior Natal Tech college - people dancing and singing at solidarity rally for Cuba and ANC
15. People waving flags
16. Banner with Che Guevara
17. Castro walks in
18. Stage
19. Audience clapping
20. Castro talking
21. Audience clapping

STORYLINE:

Former South African President Nelson Mandela says he hopes to visit Cuba soon, perhaps before the end of the year.

Mandela made the announcement with Cuban leader Fidel Castro at his side after talks in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Castro spoke warmly of Mandela, saying he was glad to find him in such good health.

The Cuban leader also met Blade Nzimande, the head of the South African Communist Party.

Earlier in Durban, where he had been attending the racism summit, Castro spoke at a solidarity rally for Cuba and South Africa's A-N-C (African National Congress) party.

Castro last visited South Africa in 1994, when he attended Nelson Mandela's presidential inauguration.

This week's visit was be the first major road trip for Castro, 75, since a June 23 fainting spell that sparked concerns about his well-being.

Castro and his aides insist his health is good.

Communist Cuba began forming links with Africa in the first years after the January 1, 1959, revolutionary triumph that brought Castro to power.

As early as 1964, revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara portrayed Cuba as an advocate for black Africa in its struggle against racism and colonialism.

Since the collapse of apartheid, Castro has had strong links with the South African government.

South African President Thabo Mbeki joined Castro during an official visit in Havana in March for the unveiling of a bust of the late anti-apartheid leader Oliver Tambo.

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