President Jacob Zuma has arrived in Havana, Republic of Cuba to attend the official mass memorial service of the late former President of Cuba, His Excellency Fidel Castro Ruz, which will take place tonight, 29 November 2016 in Havana.
President Zuma is among Heads of State and Government who have been invited to address the special service to be held today in Plaza de la Revolucion in the Cuban capital city.
The late former President Castro not only identified with the struggle against apartheid, but also inspired the Cuban people to join South Africans in that struggle. After South Africa gained freedom in 1994, Cuba and South Africa, under President Castro and President Nelson Mandela respectively, formed a strong bond of solidarity and friendship.
Condolence books have been placed at the offices of the President - the Union Buildings in Pretoria and Tuynhuys in Cape Town and at the offices of the Premiers throughout the country, for members of the public to express their condolences.
Following Former President Castro's passing, President Raúl Castro Ruz announced that according to the will expressed by the former President, his body would be cremated in the early hours of 26 November 2016.
The casket carrying his ashes will lie in state for Cubans to pay homage to Castro at the José Martí Memorial in Havana on 28 and 29 November with a rally planned at the Plaza de la Revolución for 19h00 Cuban time, on 29 November, the one to be addressed by President Zuma and other selected Heads of State and Government.
From 29 November to 3 December the casket carrying his ashes will travel along a 900 kilometre route to Santiago de Cuba, tracing in reverse the route of the "Freedom Caravan" of January 1959 in which His Excellency Castro and his forces took power. On December 3 at 19:00 a mass gathering will take place at Plaza Antonio Maceo in Santiago de Cuba and the next day, 4 December, the interment of Castro's ashes will occur at Santa Ifigenia cemetery in Santiago de Cuba, where Cuban national hero José Martí is also buried.
Enquiries:
Dr Bongani Ngqulunga
Cell: 082 308 9373
E-mail: bongani@presidency.gov.za
