The political meeting and military ceremony to mark the fall in combat of Major General Antonio Maceo and Captain Panchito Gómez 114 years ago became the official welcome to the South African delegation headed by President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma.

At the Mausoleum of El Cacahual, and in the presence of Raúl Castro, President of the councils of State and Ministers, a tribute was paid to the Lieutenant General of the Liberation Army and his assistant, and the 21st anniversary of Operation Tribute was marked.
An inspection of the troops preceded the 21-gun salute in honor of the distinguished visitor and his accompanying delegation; next, the two leaders headed towards the monument built to the memory of Antonio Maceo and Panchito Gómez, where a wreath was placed.

The ceremony was also attended by Politburo members José Ramon Machado Ventura and Esteban Lazo.

The closing remarks were in charge of Major General Samuel Rodiles, the last chief of the Cuban Military Mission in Angola, who described the Bronze Titan as one of the top exponents of military art on the island. He stated that Maceo’s example has guided the thousands of Cubans that have given their help and solidarity to other peoples of the world, particularly to the fraternal nations of the African continent.

Rodiles, also a Hero of the Republic of Cuba, recalled that on December 7, 1989, the mortal remains of the men that fell in combat in international missions were received in their homeland.

In the presence of relatives of these martyrs and combatants of those heroic deeds, Rodiles said that this date has become a day to recall those who gave their lives, not only in defense of their homeland, but also of the whole of mankind.

Also on this occasion, the First Vice President of the councils of State and Ministers, Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, presented the Cuban flag to the delegation that will attend the 17th World Festival of Youth and Students in the South African city of Pretoria.

Machado Ventura presented the first secretary of the Young Communists League (UJC), Liudmila Alamo, with the flag that will accompany the Cuban delegation to the important youth event, to be held from December 13th through the 21st.

Talia Banguela, worker of the "Guaso" Hand Tools Enterprise in the province of Guantanamo and delegate to the meeting, said that 265 members of the Cuban delegation will arrive in South Africa inspired by the example of Maceo.


The South Africa- Cuba Business Forum

While closing the South Africa-Cuba business forum, Jacob Zuma, president of the African country, declared himself to be in favor of the strengthening of the economic and commercial bonds existing between the two peoples with historic friendship relations.

He thanked President Raul Castro for his hospitality and for the possibility of meeting with the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, adding that there’s a lot learn from Cuba, from its internationalist vocation and solidarity.

Jacob Zuma highlighted Cuba’s cooperation in sectors like health, and announced that South Africa will grant a new line of credit line equivalent to 30 million dollars as well as other funds in seeds and fertilizers.

The Vice-president of the Council of Ministers, Ricardo Cabrisas, pointed out that the Business Forum confirmed the willingness of boosting economic bonds, while
identifying potentials in the fields of health, biotechnology and telecommunications.

Translated by Daysi Olano

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