Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
PREMIER SEXWALE SIGNS TWINNING AGREEMENT WITH HAVANA
Premier Tokyo Sexwale has been awarded the freedom of Cuba's Havana City Province.
Mr Sexwale and a Gauteng Government delegation - which includes Finance and Economic Affairs MEC Jabu Moleketi and other senior officials - arrived in Havana on Wednesday on the last leg of their two-week visit to North America.
They were met at Jose Marti airport in Cuba's capital by SA ambassador John Nkadimeng, Gauteng Health MEC Amos Masondo - who arrived in Cuba several days earlier - and senior Cuban government officials.
Mr Sexwale was declared "guest of honour of Havana" by Martinez Corona, President of the Provincial Assembly of People's Power of Havana City. Mr Corona said this award was given to the Premier because "he had excelled in his social and political life".
"The award signifies the eternal friendship between our two cities and provinces and pledge to work together for the greater future and freedom of our people," Mr Corona said.
Mr Sexwale said South Africans thanked Cuba for their heroic victory over the South African soldiers at Quito Cuanivale, a victory that heralded the freedom of Angola, Namibia and South Africa.
It will also expand relations between the people of both provinces through the reciprocal exchange of knowledge on their history, culture, customs and traditions. Through the agreement the provinces will exchange information and establish exchange programmes on health, sciences, education, sports, culture and other fields of interest.
The two provinces will also promote economic and commercial links.
Mr Sexwale said the agreement was not merely the joining of hands between the respective people, but was "a living symbol of the historic and enduring bonds that bind our people". "It is a fundamental convenant informed by our determination to ensure that we all benefit," he said.
On Thursday, Mr Sexwale and his delegation met the Minister of Public Health, before holding talks with Mr Ricardo Alercon de Quesada, president of the National Assembly of People's Power. Today, Mr Sexwale will meet Foreign Affairs Minister Roberto Robaina, visit the Finlay Institute and hold talks with Politburo member Jose Romon Balaguer.
The delegation will also meet the President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship, Mr Sergio Corrieri, and officials from the Education Ministry.
The delegation is due back in South Africa on Monday.
In the past two weeks the delegation has visited Washington - where Mr Sexwale held talks with US Vice President Al Gore and acting Secretary of State Peter Turnoff - as well as New York, Atlanta, Orange Country, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Issued by: Chris Vick, Communications Director, Office of the Premier Telephone: (011) 240-1642 Pager: (011) 457-1111 CODE 7320 Cellphone: 082-554-8190
Friday 16 February 1996