The City of Tshwane hosted the Cuban Five who are currently visiting South Africa in appreciation for its campaigning to have them released from a jail in the USA
The five Cuban men who have become renowned globally as the Cuban Five are Gerando Hernandez, Ramon Labanino, Fernando Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero and Rene Gonzalez. They are Cuban intelligence officers who were arrested in September 1998 and later convicted in Miami for conspiracy to commit espionage, murder, acting as agents of a foreign government and other illegal activities in the USA. Most of the men served 16 years in prison and the last prisoners were released in December 2014.
They laid a wreath at Freedom Park in memory of the Cubans who died during South Africa’s struggle during apartheid.
The Executive Mayor, Councillor Kgosientso Ramokgopa, said that victories against injustice are achievable worldwide through people’s solidarity with each other.
Speaking at the ceremony at Freedom Park, the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, said “Our freedom was made possible by the sacrifices of the Cubanian people”. He linked the similarities between the Cuban Five and the late Nelson Mandela through them being incarcerated for fighting oppression and injustice.
One of the Cuban Five, Rene Gonzalez, said that SA was the only place outside of Cuba where the name of the heroes is honoured.
City of Thswnae News Services
