Justice, human dignity continue to characterise Cuba 67 years after Revolution

ON JANUARY 1, Cuba marks its National Day - 67 years since the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959.

- KIRTAN BHANA

Few revolutions of the 20th century have so profoundly reshaped a nation’s destiny while simultaneously imprinting themselves on global struggles for justice, sovereignty and human dignity.

Sixty-seven years on, Cuba’ story is of defiance, solidarity and an unbroken commitment to principles that continue to resonate deeply with South Africa and much of the Global South.

Cuba's revolution was born in a world defined by colonial hierarchies, Cold War rivalries and stark inequalities. From the outset, it challenged the prevailing global order by asserting that sovereignty, social justice, and human development were not privileges reserved for wealthy or powerful nations. Despite relentless external pressure, most notably decades of economic blockade and attempts at regime change by the United States, Cuba chose a path centred on people rather than profit, on dignity rather than dependency.

It is this choice that explains why Cuba’ revolution cannot be assessed solely through the lens of geopolitics or ideology. As Cuban Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Fakri Rodriguez Pinelo, stated in his address in Pretoria, that the revolution “turned dreams into realities, challenges into victories,” placing the human being at centre stage.

For a small country under siege, Cuba’ achievements remain extraordinary: universal, high-quality healthcare; one of the highest doctor-to-population ratios in the world; life expectancy nearing 80 years; infant mortality rates comparable to the richest nations; and free, universal education from kindergarten to university.