Pretoria, South Africa.- South African President Jacob Zuma received today the credentials that accredit Rodolfo Benítez Verson as Cuba”s new ambassador in this country, during a ceremony held at the house of protocol of the presidency in this capital.

In his exchange with the head of state, Benítez Verson expressed his willingness to serve Cuba and South Africa with dignity, a job with which he said he is fully committed to working tirelessly to further strengthen the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation between both governments and peoples.

He added that he has a solemn duty to be faithful to the legacy of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro and the great Nelson Mandela, respective leaders of Cuba and South Africa, at a time when the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late anti-apartheid leader is celebrated.

The Cuban diplomat expressed his best wishes and prosperity to the South African people and stressed that it is a great honor to present to President Zuma the documents that accredit him in this country.

Before being named an ambassador to South Africa, Benítez Verson was head of the Department of Multilateral Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba and head of the Cuban Guarantors for the peace process in Colombia.

In his welcoming words to the Cuban ambassador and others who presented their credentials today, Zuma thanked the international participation in the celebrations during the 100th anniversary of Oliver Tambo in 2017 and anticipated the many that will take place in 2018 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mandela.