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A historic cooperation agreement between South Africa and Cuba, which will see both countries undertake exchange programmes  among institutions of higher education, was signed by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, and his Cuban counterpart in Havana, Cuba late last week.

The Agreement is aimed at strengthening relations in the area of education between South Africa and Cuba, and at the same time to encourage mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

“This agreement actually builds on the long standing cooperation that exists between the two countries, especially  where some of our medical doctors and other professionals have and continue to be trained in Cuba. We will now build on the work that is already underway, and actually take it to a higher level which will include lecturer and student exchanges as well as research collaboration amongst our higher education institutions,” Dr Nzimande said.

He added that the cooperation will include visits by academics, students and experts, as well as collaborations and mutual learning in the areas of teacher education, models of University delivery and Agricultural studies.

As the Minister responsible for Higher Education and Training, Dr Nzimande is responsible for Outcome 5 of Government’s 12 performance outcomes, which refers to the creation of “A skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive growth path”.



In addition, the cooperation will entail promoting the studying of the Spanish language in a number of South African institutions of higher education and encourage South African citizens to study the Spanish language in Cuban institutions of higher education.  



It will further entail establishing Spanish and Latin American studies programme  at some South African institutions of higher education for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the history, politics, economy and educational experiences of Latin America in the Republic of South Africa.



Conversely, Cuba will encourage the strengthening of African studies in its higher education institutions.



Our agreement will also facilitate the mutual recognition of higher education qualifications of both countries.



The Agreement is in line with the Department’s Strategic Priority 4,which talks to creating a culture of achievement and improving learner outcomes by partly contributing to the economic and social wellbeing of both the country and the wider global community, and transforming knowledge into practical applications by contributing to international, national, regional and localpolicy formulation.