The Tribune

LOCAL artist Alex Miller is today officially donating his portrait of Nelson Mandela to Fidel Castro.

The donation, which will take place at 4pm at the Cuban Embassy on Collins Avenue, is in recognition of the friendship between the Cuban President and the recently deceased South African leader, as well as the links of solidarity that join Cuba and African countries.

Mr Miller said: “The world has recently lost one of the greatest freedom fighters and leaders ever – Nelson Mandela. “I would like to pay homage to this immortal icon and emphasise the fact that the continued injustices perpetrated by external forces – such as the US Embargo on the innocent, peaceful people of Cuba; and the persistent exploitation of small nations such as the Bahamas and Caribbean as a result of imposing their colonial will and capitalist might to make themselves richer while the masses live in poverty – constitutes a form of de facto apartheid.

“As an artist I feel obligated, like the great Jose Marti who used his pen in the fight to gain (Cuban) independence from Spain, to use my brush to make a difference by exposing wrong and consequently accurately depict historical realities.”

Mr Miller saluted the part played by the Republic of Cuba in the fight against South African apartheid.

“I think it is only fitting and proper to present this portrait of Mandela to President Fidel Castro as a token of appreciation of his and the Cuban people’s struggle for liberty; and equality for all,” he said.