Cuban Five delegation on South Africa-Cuba relations & latest developments on Cuba-US relations

Meeting report

After introductions, the Cuban Five were introduced as Mr Gerardo Hernandez Nordello, Mr Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez, Mr Ramon Labanino Salazar, Mr Fernando Gonzalez Liort and Mr Rene Gonzalez Sehwerent.

The Chairperson said Cuba had been very busy politically to help countries to get their freedom. In the 1980s the then President of SA, Mr P W Botha and his cabinet believed that there was an onslaught against SA by communists and frontline states around SA. As a result SA attacked countries like Mozambique, Angola, Botswana and Zimbabwe looking for terrorists. In 1987 the South African Defence Force (SADF) invaded Angola with a view of undermining the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) government who were communists. The SADF was in search of members of the ANC. The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola took place with combined forces of the Cubans, Russians and Africans against the SADF. The battle was a turning point in history. The subsequent peace agreement entered into was that both the SADF and the Cuban forces would withdraw from Angola. The SADF also withdrew from Namibia and not too long after that Namibia gained independence from SA. In 1989 Mr Walter Sisulu and Mr Govan Mbeki, both stalwarts of the ANC, were released from prison. In 1990 the ANC was unbanned and Mr Nelson Mandela was released from prison. For many years Cuba had in various fora campaigned for the freedom of SA, whether it was the United Nations or other bodies. SA saluted Cuba for its contribution.

Mr Carlos Fernandez de Cossio Dominguez, Cuban Ambassador to SA, stated that it was an honour for Cuba to be present in the SA Parliament. Cuba wished to pay its respects to SA and to thank it for its solidarity with Cuba. The visit by the delegation was an expansion of the relationship between SA and Cuba. The relationship went way back to the time of the Cuban revolution in 1960. Cuba started the fight against Apartheid. Mr Ernesto “Che” Guevara had asked the United Nations to take action against Apartheid. SA’s relationship with Cuba was one of solidarity. Even though SA had enjoyed 21 years of democracy it still had a relationship based on solidarity. The Cuban Five were free because of pressure exerted by SA and others, and Cuba was grateful to the South African people. The Cuban Five had come to SA with their families. They were an inspiration for people all over the world to fight for freedom and to stick to their principles and never lose faith.

Mr Gerardo Hernandez Nordelo also appreciated the honour of appearing before Members of SA’s Parliament. He shed some light on Cuban-USA relations. The Cuban delegation was part of a generation that had lived under the hostility of the USA government. He war hopeful that the situation would change and that discussion would lead to better relations and a better environment. This was needed so that Cuba could develop and train without the hostility of the USA. There was agreement between the Cuban and the USA governments for the opening up of embassies and they were working towards normal relations without Cuba abandoning its principles. Solidarity from SA and many other countries had allowed the process to start. It was a difficult process with the respect of Cuban sovereignty being kept in mind. Cuba had to choose its own path. Too many lives had been lost in the struggle. The Cuban struggle for true independence had been ongoing for more than 150 years. Nevertheless respectful relations with the USA would be maintained. The USA had never accepted the right of Cuba to be independent and sovereign. The possibility of diplomatic relations existed and perhaps the trade blockade would be lifted and the naval base of Guantanamo Bay would be returned to Cuba. Cubans had the right and will to have solidarity with just causes around the world. Cuba would never surrender its right to be supportive of causes around the world even if it was trying to improve its relations with the USA. The intention was to have a regular relationship with the USA and to have some semblance of normality. Cuba thanked the people of SA and its Parliament for passing a resolution for the release of the Cuban Five and the lifting of the trade embargo. The trade embargo was however still in place; perhaps the rules of the embargo could be made more flexible. However it did not seem as if the USA would budge. Guantanamo Bay was Cuban land occupied by the USA for many years now.

Mr Fernando Gonzalez Liort also expressed his thanks to the people of SA for its solidarity towards Cuba. Six months ago some members of the Cuban Five were still in prison. The Cuban Five had been given heavy prison sentences, including double life sentences. He was out of prison due to the efforts of his brothers and sisters in SA and due to the solidarity shown from around the world for their cause. The Cuban people felt for the suffering of Africa and hence sent doctors and nurses to assist where help was needed in Africa. Even though Cuba was a poor nation its main resource was its people. He extended the spirit, solidarity and gratefulness of the Cuban people and that of ex President Fidel Castro towards SA. Bridges needed to be built between SA and Cuba. Ex President Nelson Mandela was like a teacher to the Cuban Five and to the Cuban people at large. Whilst in prison the Cuban Five had kept the pictures of three persons in their cells. The first picture was that of Fidel Castro, the second was that of “Che” Guevara and the third was of Nelson Mandela. These three individuals had been an inspiration to the Cuban Five never to give up and to survive in prison. He thanked SA for its support and said that the struggle continued. The world now was more complicated and terrorism was everywhere. The trade embargo needed to be lifted as it was very much still in place. Any assistance to help lift the embargo would be appreciated by Cuba. Discussions had to take place with the USA about the independence, solidarity and freedom of Cuba. Cuba was a socialist state and its people would continue to fight for its dreams. He hoped that the solidarity movement between SA and Cuba would continue.

Discussion
Deputy Minister of Energy, Ms Thembi Majola, said she was a product of Cuba. The presence of the Cuban Five and its delegation in SA was a show of Cuba’s solidarity with SA. Cuba played an active assistance role in Africa for so many years. There were thousands of Cuban doctors deployed in Africa. For example in Mali there were Cuban engineers, teachers and nurses deployed. These deployments took place without any benefit in return for the Cuban economy. So many members of the Executive from African countries had been educated in Cuba. Palestinians were also educated in Cuba. The biggest learning experience for her in Cuba was the togetherness of people where people from more than 100 nationalities would come together to learn. She could not even count the number of Cuban lives that had been lost in the line of duty for causes that were not their own. The beauty of it all was that Cuba never asked for any compensation for the lives that were lost. She sincerely wished to honour and welcome the Cuban Five and its delegation. Whatever SA did for Cuba was not comparable to what Cuba had done for SA.

Mr T Godi (APC) appreciated the role that Cuba played in Africa as a whole. Mr Liort had said that the Cuban Five were sitting in SA’s Parliament due to SA’s efforts but the converse was also true. Members of Parliament were also sitting in the very meeting because of the efforts of Cuba in fighting Apartheid. He brought up the issue of risk analysis and management. He was concerned that yes there were advantages to dealing with the USA but there were also huge risks. Would the deals with the USA bring about the outcomes that Cuba wished for?

Dr E Mayisela (ANC) thanked Cuba and the delegation present for its contribution towards SA’s freedom struggle. Cubans gave their time and risked their lives. The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale was the biggest land battle in Africa, and that Battle was definitely a turning point. Words could not express the gratitude that he felt towards the Cubans for assisting in that Battle. Cubans fought side by side with South Africans without any reward. He wished that South Africans could do for others what Cuba had done for SA.

Ms X Tom (ANC) added that everyone should take their hats off to the wives of the Cuban Five and of other prisoners like them. It was not only difficult for the prisoners but for their wives as well as the wives usually suffered greatly. The Apartheid Government made sure that they destroyed marriages. The wives of the Cuban Five and of other prisoners like them were supported and had the best wishes of all in the meeting.

Mr L Mpumlwana (ANC) thanked Cuba for its contribution towards liberation struggles in Africa. Cuba trained Mkonto we Sizwe (MK) cadres in Angola and also trained South African doctors and students during the struggle. Cuba showed the world what it meant to be a human being irrespective of race and colour.

Mr M Maila (ANC) said that it was indeed an emotional moment to host the Cuban Five and its delegation. SA could learn a great deal from the patriotism of Cubans.

Ms O Maxon (EFF) stated that when the EFF had launched its party in 2013 it had drawn it inspiration from Cuba. Cuba continued to fight for the poor with its social programmes and continued to assist Africa. One day the USA would fall and Africa would continue to fight them until then.

Mr B Mashile (ANC) said it seemed that all has been said regarding SA’s appreciation towards Cuba. SA would in its small way continue to campaign for the lifting of the trade embargo. It would be lifted.

Ms M Dunjwa (ANC) said that the Cuban Five had shown what it takes to be leaders of people. The sacrifice that Cubans made for Cuba was admirable. The Cuban people had discipline. It was important that generations to come had to be aware of the Cuban example. 

Mr M Lekota (COPE) said the visit of the Cuban Five and its delegation was significant. It was good to be able place faces to the Cuban Five. In the same way that Nelson Mandela’s face was on their walls so too would their faces be on South Africans’ walls. The remnants of the Cold War like the trade embargo had to be cleaned out. A world free of oppression was needed. South Africans needed to remind themselves of outstanding obligations.

Mr X Mabasa (ANC) said that the Cuban people had set the bar very high for others. The world aspired to how Cubans lived. The world needed to become what Cubans were.

The Chairperson proceeded to read out a resolution that the South African Parliament had taken on the 19 August 2014. The resolution spoke to the fact that the trade embargo against Cuba had to be lifted and that the Cuban Five had to be released. The Speaker of the National Assembly signed the resolution. On 12 September 1998 the Cuban Five had been falsely imprisoned for committing acts against the USA, which was not the case. Nobody had been harmed. The Cuban Five simply wished to protect the Cuban people against acts of terrorism.
He invited the Cuban Five and its delegation to join in on celebrations of 60 years of the Freedom Charter. The Charter said that SA belonged to all those who lived in it. It was written in response to the then Apartheid Government who had excluded blacks. The final clause of the Charter said that there should be peace and friendship. The government of SA had given life to the aspirations of friendships by having 126 missions across the world. Peace however was absent from many parts of the world.

Mr Rene Gonzalez Sehwerent responded that in as much as some members did not know what to say in appreciation, Members had said enough and SA had done enough. SA would still do much more with Cuba. Cuba also appreciated what SA had done. In response to the question of Mr God, the Cuban people were aware of the risks in dealing with the USA. It was a real risk. Secondary and high school children had raised the same question with the Cuban Five when they visited schools. Cubans were well aware of the risks in dealing with imperialist countries but if progress was to be made Cuba had to take up the challenge. Cuba had never had a normal relationship with the USA. When Cuba was still a colony, the USA wished to take ownership of it. There was now the hope of some sort of normal relations. The issues of the lifting of the trade embargo, the return of Guantanamo Bay to Cuba and the payment of compensation by the USA to Cuba would be a long process. Cuba was aware of the challenges that it faced. Many countries were interested in coming to invest in Cuba but first and foremost it had to be to the benefit of the Cuban people.

The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr S Tsenoli (ANC) addressing Mr Ramon Labanino Salazar, said Cuba can count on SA’s support. He agreed that the struggle continued. The consequences of irrational policies were out of order and had to be addressed.

Mr B Radebe (ANC) concluded with the vote of thanks. Never in the history of humanity did a small island country like Cuba have such a great impact of the course of history in Africa. Cuba had deployed in excess of 400 000 troops to various liberation wars in Africa. Cuba never asked for anything in return. It did not take oil, gold or any other form of compensation. All they took was the bodies of their dead soldiers. Africa as a continent would always be indebted to Cuba. Cuba even assisted in the setting up new government administrations in African countries after they were liberated. Ex President Fidel Castro on a visit to SA in 1998 observed that in SA there were one rich and one poor person.  Cuba was a poor country. SA and Cuba needed to partner up to face the onslaught of imperialism. In the USA, the Agricultural Coalition of the USA was wholly against the trade embargo. They wished to trade with Cuba so as to rake in huge profits. The European Union and Latin American countries also rejected the trade embargo. Not all Americans were bad there were some that were good. There was a need to engage with civil society in the USA. The Burton-Helms Act was one of the worst pieces of legislation. It punished countries that traded with Cuba. There was no need to have the USA as an enemy. Partnerships with them should be encouraged. SA would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the agenda of Cuba was on the world map.

Mr Ebrahim Ebrahim, Special Adviser in the Office of the Presidency, said he was lucky enough to have greeted and met the Cuban Five and its delegation at OR Tambo International Airport. It was an honour to have them in SA. During the exile days of the ANC, Cuba had trained members of MK. After over 50 years of isolation, trade embargos and terrorist attacks against Cuba, Cuba still remained. The spirit and commitment of the Cuban people would also remain.

The meeting was adjourned.