Cuban Five Attend Celebrations in South Africa

The five Cuban anti-terrorist fighters, known worldwide as The Five, attended the festivities for the 60th anniversary of South Africa’s Freedom Charter in Johannesburg on Thursday.

The Freedom Charter, approved in 1955 by the People’s Congress, proclaims that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it” and that “all shall be equal before the law,” independent of their skin color.

Earlier on Thursday, the Cuban Five visited Mayor Park Tau’s offices in Braamfontein, Johannesburg on Thursday. Tau hosted a breakfast in honor of Antonio Guerrero, Rene Gonzalez, Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino and Fernando Gonzalez.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Fernando Gonzalez said he was grateful for all the support the Five had received from South Africans. “In the midst of the difficulties this city faces, the mayor and his leadership, who are working hard to overcome so many obstacles, still took time to do this for us,” he said.

“International pressure, including from South Africa, played an important role in our release. A few months ago, we thought it was impossible that the Five would be back in Cuba and in South Africa today.”

The five Cuban heroes will conclude their visit to South Africa on July 3rd, and then will travel to Namibia and Angola.