The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgementTown of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Cape Published by the University ofof Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN FACULTY OF HUMANITIES MANIFESTATIONS OF HUMANISM IN CUBAN HISTORY, POLITICS, AND CULTURE Town CLIVE KRONENBERG (MMUS, BMUS HONS, BMUS, HDE) Cape THESIS PRESENTEDof FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN SEPTEMBER 2006 University ABSTRACT The thesis explores what it deems are some of the most perceptible humanistic features in Cuban history, politics, and culture, less specified, or highlighted, or generally not presented in a cohesive body of knowledge in the western scholarly world. In the context of its subject, the thesis embraces rational-critical thinking and supports the custom of non-violent dispute. Insofar as the Cuban Constitution incorporates a range of goals structured on socialist principles, the thesis sets out to scrutinise manifestations in Cuban thinking emblematic of the Marxist-humanist and/or anti-Stalinist philosophical traditions of revolutionary praxis. The thesis' main body investigates, illustrates, and analyses the presence of such features, focussing predominantly on the period 1959 to the late 1960s. Where the thesis does delve into timeframes beyond this era, it endeavours to show the continuity of relevant facets Townpreviously identified. Preceding the main examination, the thesis looks into what is widely perceived as the main roots of the country's humanist tradition, the moral ideas and standpoints of Jose Marti, the country's national hero. A Capefurther objective of this thesis lies in the belief that aspects of Cuba's national cultural policy in large measure addressesof historical issues post-Apartheid South Africa confronts today. C.KRONENBERG SEPTEMBER 2006 University the thesis is dedicated to the wellbeing and happiness of my children Samantha, Elana, and Kayla Town Cape of University 11 PUBLICATION RECORD 1. Peer Review Journals 'Illustrations of cultural-universalism in Cuba: with special reference to the contributions of Leo Brouwer and Haydee Santamaria', UN/SA Latin American Report, Vol. 21 (2),2005, University of South Africa, pp. 56-75. 'The value of culture in revolutionary Cuba: with some prospects for post­ Apartheid South Africa', UN/SA Latin American Report, Vol. 20 (2), 2005, University of South Africa, pp. 24-45. Under consideration 'An Introduction to Cuban Artist, Leo Brouwer', Journal ofthe Musical Arts in Africa. Future Projects 'An analysis of Leo Brouwer's compositional techniques, styles, and procedures' South African Journal of Musicology. (commissioned, currently being finalised for possible publication in 2007) 'Elogio de la danza: a scrutiny of a universal workTown by an obscure artist'. [possible publication: lWusical Analysis] 'The ideas and visions of Jose Marti, Latin America's principal 19th-century writer and poet'. [possible publication:Cape Antipodes] 'Jose Marti's social critique of the arts: Munkacsy and 'the invincible power of the idea' '. [possible publication:of New Contrasts] 'The concept cultural-universalism and its manifestations in Cuba's political, social, & cultural spheres'. [possible publication: Anthropology Southern Africa] 2. Specialist Magazines 'Intellectuals and the new South Africa', The Bulletin, Vol. 13, No.2, OctoberlNovemberUniversity 2004. 'Meeting Cuban artist, Leo Brouwer', Guitar Review, Vol. 129, Summer, 2004, pp. 5-8. 'The value of rational-critical thinking Part III: The truth will set US free perspectives on the Fisher controversy', Humanities Retooled, November 2004. III 'The value of rational-critical thinking Part II: a response to 'reply to Cuba libre', Humanities Retooled, April 2004. 'Let us play for our children: a reappraisal for the guitar tutor', Guitarra Magazine, Issue 15, March 2004. 'The value of rational-critical thinking Part I: a few lessons from Habermas for the new South Africa', Humanities Retooled, March 2004. 3. Unpublished Interviews Interview with Mayle Benitez Ortega, Deputy Director for Promotion and Development, Cuban National School of Ballet, Havana, Cuba, March 2005. Interview with Norma Galvez Perfut, Vice-Director, lnstituto Superior de Arte, Havana, Cuba, March 2005. 'Culture is the Soul of the Nation': Interview with Itumeleng Mosala - Director General of the SA Department of Arts and Culture. May, 2004. 4. Newspaper Articles & Letters Articles 'Political point-scoring loses the plot', Insight, Cape Times, 03 March 2006 'Ngoro is a product of the government's failure to address the national question', Insight, Cape Times, 11 August 2005. Letters Town 'SA still dominated by race paradigm', Cape Points, Cape Argus, 27 Oct 2004. 'Utter hooey and sheer bunkum', CapeCape Points, Cape Argus, Sept? 2004. 'A more meaningful notion of culture', Cape Points, Cape Argus, 29 April 2004. of 'Racial labels divide', Cape Points, Cape Argus, 20 April 2004. 'Social and classroom conditions of poorer learners make aBE unsuitable', Weekend Argus, 7 February 2004 'Perspectives on the September 11 th Atrocity', Cape Points, Cape Argus, OctoberUniversity 2001. 5. ACADEMIC PAPERS Research Paper delivered at the 2nd SA-Poland Symposium: 'The Cuban Model and Culture in Post-Apartheid South Africa: Arguments and Lessons', University of Cape Town, September 2004. IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The financial assistance of the South African National Research Foundation, the University of Cape Town Postgraduate Funding Office, and the South African Department of Arts and Culture (Pretoria), is hereby gratefully acknowledged. The kind concern and expert advice of Ms Nomahlubi Bolosha (DAC) and Ms Paula Foley (PGFO) are especially noted, without this, the project would not have been concluded. In particular I extend my warm appreciation to Itumeleng Mosala, Director General of the South African Department of Arts and Culture, through whose recommendation I could visit and conduct research in Cuba. This experience marked my first and sole chance to come into direct contact with the 'subject' of my investigation. I thank the officials at the Africa Desk of the CubanTown Ministry of Culture, especially Ms Karina Palacios Sanchez and Ms Alina Jova for their kind assistance and time to engage in discussions. Since my visit they have kept in regular contact, willingly offering furtherCape advice and information on areas unclear to me. Cuba's Minister ofof Culture Abel Prieto Jimenez showed special interest in my past and ongoing research, something that has been most encouraging. During my Cuban visit I conducted formal interviews with Professor Norma Galvez Perfut, Vice-Director of the Instituto Superior de Arte, and Dr Mayle Benitez Ortega Deputy Director for Promotion and Development at the Cuban National School of Ballet. The special time set aside by these intellectuals,University has been most valuable which, likewise, is deserving of acknowledgement and praise. I extend thanks to Distinguished-Professor Ph-J Salazar for his role in securing sponsorship from the NRF for this project. Emeritus Professor Gitay encouraged me to explore the theories of the Frankfurt School, something that played a significant role in my perception of cultural developments currently underway in v South Africa. The tremendous help and special interest in this project of Paul Hendricks, doctoral candidate at the Education Faculty ofUCT, deserves special mention. Paul's wide scholarship, together with his generous nature, introduced me to many previously unknown volumes considered central to my research. I thank especially also my supervisor Professor John Higgins - senior lecturer at the Department of English Language and Literature (UCT) for meticulously inspecting my draft chapters and offering useful advice on some key issues I encountered during the \-vriting of the document. Further, Professor James May, retired director of the South African College of Music (UCT), arguably Africa's leading musical analyst and my masters' supervisor, offered practical guidance on the musical works of Cuban composer Leo Brouwer. I thank Professor May most kindly for his time and consideration and sharing his expert knowledge with me. The shortage at my host institution of specialist scholars of Latin America, for obvious reasons did not aid my progress. The University of South Africa Centre for Latin American Studies (Pretoria) is currently the only one of its kind on the African continent. Flowing from my personal experiencesTown and academic labours, it is recommended that possibilities be explored that could enhance the examination, and hence, exposure, of a continent of well over 400 million subjects whose historical development, rich cultural traditions, as well as, current political trends, call for dedicatedCape study. Special thanks are extended to the management of the Institute forof Latin American Studies of the University of London for allowing me access to some rare and much-needed research materials. Particular thanks are due to academics and scholars who, in one way or another, offered explicit and indirect assistance with my specific area of research. They are ProfessorUniversity Peter Rose of the University of Ohio (Miami), Professor Frederic Aldama of the University