Message of solidarity shared with Cuban ‘heroes’
PRETORIA: The Cuban Five laid a wreath at Freedom Park in the capital yesterday in memory of Cubans who died during South Africa’s liberation Struggle.
Hosted by the City of Tshwane yesterday, the Cuban Five are in the country to thank South Africa for its role campaigning for their release from a jail in the US.
The five were reminded by Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa and Tshwane executive mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa of the solidarity South Africans have with Cubans.
The five men – Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero, Ramón Labañino, Fernando González and René González – were greeted at Freedom Park by supporters – locals and Cuban nationals who live in the country.
The five intelligence officers – who were monitoring actions of Miami-based terrorist groups to prevent attacks on Cuba – were arrested in the US and convicted in 1998 for conspiracy to commit espionage, conspiracy to commit murder, acting as agents of foreign government and other illegal activities.
Most served up to 16 years in prison, with the last being released last year.
Yesterday they were hailed as heroes of the struggle for democracy worldwide.
Mthethwa likened the struggle of the five for freedom to that of late statesman Nelson Mandela, and said: “Both were incarcerated for fighting oppression and injustice, walked in Freedom Park – a symbol of a free and democratic South Africa.”
The five are in the country on a 13-day visit and have been feted wherever they have gone.
Ramokgopa told them that victory against injustice would be achieved worldwide through the solidarity of people. “Our own freedom was made possible by the fight of South Africans and Cubans, who fought alongside people from across the length and breadth of the world,” the mayor said.
Freedom Park acting chief executive Jane Mufamadi described their visit as “a homecoming of our heroes”. She said the moment had been pre-destined in August 2008, when the Cuban ambassador at that time stood at the heritage site and launched the campaign to free them.
The men laid a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance, on which are inscribed the names of 2 601 Cubans who died in the Struggle against apartheid. “This is of special significance to us because this is the only place outside of Cuba where the names of our heroes are honoured,” said Fernando González.
Mthethwa hailed Cuba’s ongoing contribution to South Africa, mentioning the sustained medical training programme as an example.