BuaNews (Tshwane)
Nthambeleni Gabara
28 March 2008
Pretoria — The son of the former President of Cuba Fidel Castro, Professor Diaz-Balart Castro is scheduled to visit South Africa on Sunday.
According to the Department of Science and Technology, the nuclear physicist will be visiting South Africa in his capacity as Scientific Advisor to the State Council of Cuba.
During his science mission, Professor Castro is to discuss biotechnology, nanotechnology, climate change as well as nuclear and energy technology. He is expected to present a lecture on nuclear technology at the department's Bhunga auditorium on Sunday and he will meet South Africa's former President Nelson Mandela next week.
South Africa's science and technology relations with Cuba began in 2001, when the two countries signed an Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation with a special focus on biotechnology. Cuban experts have come to South Africa to help fast track infrastructure service delivery and to empower their technological skills to local residents, while a group of young South African students from Limpopo are studying medicine in Cuba.
"The research areas provided include cholera vaccine, bio-pharming, training and he exchange of human resources, technical expertise as well as further potential collaborative initiatives aimed at curbing diseases such as Tuberculosis, Malaria and cancer," read the statement. Given Cuba's strength in biotechnology and its investment in bioinformatics, the department said this is an area where South Africa could benefit from.
Among the most important institutions in Cuba's biotechnology industry is the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology which is also involved in existing biotechnology projects between South Africa and Cuba.
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CORRECTION TO "GUNNEN93231":
The correct name of ex-President Fidel Castro's eldest son is "Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart." The "Diaz-Balart" is his mother's last name, the family name that makes Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart FIRST DEGREE COUSIN of TWO United States Representatives: Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Mario Diaz-Balart, also, like the Castros, TWO BROTHERS who reign -not in Cuba- but over the Cuban-American community in Miami-Dade, Florida. Some say that Cubans -white Cubans- are descendants from the Lost Tribes of Biblical Israel -non-jewish israelites- who also happened to be lead by TWO BROTHERS during an equal period of time of NEARLY half a century… [Read Full Text]
The name of Fidel Castro son is not Diaz-Balart Castro, is Castro Diaz-Balart, Castro is the family name Diaz Balart is mother's family name used in Spanish as second last name.