SOUTH AFRICA:SINN FÉIN'S activities had "influenced and strengthened" the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, a senior member of the African National Congress told the Sinn Féin Ardfheis at the weekend.
Dr Mathole Serofo Matshekga said he was bringing “warm fraternal greetings” on behalf of South Africa’s president Jacob Zuma and the rest of the ANC leadership.
“Your organisation and the Irish people in general may not be aware how much your commitment to the struggle for equality, freedom and justice for all influenced and strengthened our resolve,” he said.
He praised the party for inviting Presbyterian clergyman the Rev David Latimer from Derry to address the opening session of the conference last Friday evening.
“Your invitation to Rev David Latimer to this conference and his support for Sinn Féin’s efforts to build an inclusive society is a major development that should be embraced by all of us.”
“The relationship between vice-president McGuinness and Rev Latimer reminds one of the relationship between our Oliver Tambo and Rev Trevor Huddleston.
“In 1987, the two convened an international conference on the plight of women and children in South Africa to raise international awareness,” he said
As a result, the ANC established a department of religious affairs which had facilitated religious harmony throughout South Africa.
Mr Fady Abusidualghghoul from Fatah/Palestine Liberation Organisation said Sinn Féin were “friends and comrades who understand the real meaning of freedom and the value of human rights and security”.
Other international speakers included US congressman Richard Neale and Basque nationalist Ana Mazo.
