Warm Reception for Cuban Heroes in South Africa

The Cuban Five, who arrived in Johannesburg on Sunday morning, expressed gratitude for the support during their imprisonment in the US.

South Africa welcomes to its shores the five Cuban national heroes, namely, Gerardo Hernandez, Ramón Labañino, Fernando Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero and René Gonzalez, who have only travel to Venezuela before since their release in Decemeber.

The men were greeted by a large crowd of supporters at OR Tambo International Airport.

The Comunist Party of South Africa,the Trade Union Congress of South Africa and the Friendship Society Cuba- South Africa had organized this visit.

During their stay until July 3, the five would be thanked for their sacrifices made during the war in Angola. The men had all served in Angola during the struggle against apartheid forces.

The five are scheduled to attend various events including a public participation programme and a meeting with the parliamentary portfolio committee on international relations.

They will travel to 5 of the 9 South African provinces where they will hold meetings at the higher level, talk to the pople and to the Cuban collaborator there.

After this visit to South Africa between the 3 and 8 of July they will visit Namibia and Angola as to end their African tour.

ANC Secretary Geeneral, Gwede Mantache, announced the news he said thast the purpose of their visit to South Africa is to thank the people and the government, including the tripartite alliance, who have used every available opportunity to call for their release.

The Cuban Five were arrested in 1998 and convicted in 2001 on various unjust charges in the US. One of the Cuban Five was released in 2011, one in February 2014,and the remaining three in December of the same year.