The Chairperson of the Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Siphosezwe Masango, has welcomed the honour that has been accorded to Parliament of hosting the Cuban 5 delegation and the Cuban Ambassador (Carlos Fernandez de Cossio Dominguez) on Tuesday 23 June.
Mr Masango said the Committee invited the Cuban 5 delegation to Parliament so they could express an appreciation about their heroic personal involvement in the crucial Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, 1987, in Angola, which brought the dawn of independence in Namibia, the withdrawal of the South African Defence Force from Angola, and ultimately freedom in South Africa.
“The Cuban 5 will in return be afforded an opportunity to thank SA’s Parliament for passing resolutions calling upon the United States to release them and to end the economic blockade on Cuba,” he said.
The Committee, together with its counterparts on Health, Arts and Culture, and Trade and Industry will host the Cuban 5, together with the Cuban Ambassador. On Wednesday, the Committee received a briefing on Cuba-SA relations from Dirco.
Mr Masango said he hopes that the government will enter into bi-national commissions and trade agreements with Cuba which will benefit both countries in the long term.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Sibongile Maputi
Tel: 021 403 8041
Cell: 081 052 6060
E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
