Ambassador-designate of Russia to South Africa Roman Ambarov on 23 March 2025 attended a Day of Reflection on Resistance and Liberation Heritage in commemoration of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale at Freedom Park in Pretoria.
The keynote address was delivered by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa Mr. Gayton McKenzie. Minister of Culture of the Republic of Angola Filipe Silvino De Pina Zau, Chairperson of the Freedom Park Council C.L. Adams Kruger, as well as the leadership of the Embassies of Cuba and Namibia took part in the event.
Addressing the participants, Roman Ambarov reminded that the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale was a turning point of the Civil War in Angola. The victory of the People’s Armed Forces of Liberation of Angola contributed directly to the peace process in Namibia and helped pave the way for the eventual liberation of South Africa.
“Today, as we commemorate this battle, we also honour the shared values that brought us together – the values of freedom, equality, and justice. The courage and resilience displayed by the Angolan, Cuban, and Soviet forces left their mark in the nation-building processes in our countries. The struggle for freedom was a collective one, and it is this spirit of international solidarity that we must continue to uphold in the world today. The veterans who fought in Cuito Cuanavale showed us the power of unity and determination. Their bravery, alongside the sacrifice of countless others, changed the future not just for Angola, but for all of Southern Africa,” the Ambassador-designate said.
As part of the event, Roman Ambarov laid a wreath to the Russian section of the Wall of Names in memory of Soviet military specialists who participated in conflicts in Southern Africa.
The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale (August 1987 – March 1988) was a decisive engagement of the Angolan Civil War and a crucial step in the struggle for independence of the countries of Southern Africa from colonialism and apartheid. During the battle, the People’s Armed Forces of Liberation of Angola backed by USSR, Cuba, People’s Liberation Army of Namibia, African National Congress and others defeated the combatants of the Angolan “UNITA” party and the racist regime of RSA.
