‘Our people were armed by the Russians' during apartheid, South African official reveals
South Africa's vice president, Paul Mashatile, paid a visit to Moscow last week where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his team. During the meeting, the subject of apartheid was revisited. The vice president expressed gratitude for Russia's aid during the apartheid era.
South Africa's vice president met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week.
The discussion revisited topics including Russia's support during South Africa's apartheid era.
The ongoing friendship and cooperation between Russia and African nations were emphasized.
Subsequently, Russia history with South Africa's apartheid period was futher elaborated on by Keith Khoza, the acting spokesman for South Africa's deputy president, during his interview with Sputnik.
'During the time when apartheid was an issue, our people were trained in Russia, were armed by the Russians, and in some instances, they gave us other forms of support, so our relationship is historic,' the spokeman stated.
'We've continued to be friends to Russia, and they've continued to be friends to us, so why we are here and why Africa is responding is because Russia has always been there, at the time of need for most of African countries to see how they can assist, support, and be with them in terms of the struggles that they went through,' he added.
The topic of media portrayal and narrative framing also came up, as Khoza praised Sputnik 's intentions to open an office in South Africa, saying that doing so is essential to accurately representing African reality.
'You may try and understand issues from a distance, but when you get closer and more intimate with the situation, you get a different understanding of the dynamics, issues, and the perceptions of people in that particular area,' Khoza remarked.
In February, Russia fast tracked its cultrual engagement with Africa with the establishment of an editorial center in Ethiopia.
The media center which is based in Ethiopia will be Russia's first large-scale, multi-functional editorial center on the continent.
Vladimir Putin and Paul Mashatile's meeting last week
During the meeting last week, President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia and South Africa have a common viewpoint on a number of global issues.
"We share solidarity when it comes to international agenda items," he added, adding that both nations always coordinate their efforts on multilateral forums.
Putin also emphasized that improving cooperation with African states, notably South Africa, is a top priority for Russian foreign policy.
This heightened emphasis on bilateral cooperation is seen in the larger context of Russia's strategic shift to Africa, particularly as it seeks deeper ties amid geopolitical tensions with the West.
In response, Deputy President Mashatile echoed the aforemtioned sentiments of Keith Khoza during the formal meeting, stating, "The people of South Africa will never forget Moscow's help in their liberation from apartheid."
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