STATEMENT BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS

MEDIA RELEASE ON THE OFFICIAL VISIT BY THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE TO THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF CUBA

DATE OF RELEASE: 23 APRIL 2009

The Minister of Defence, Mr Charles Nqakula will today (Thursday), 23 April 2009 be leading a South African delegation to an official visit in the Socialist Republic of Cuba.

Minister Nqakula will during the week long attend the Ministerial Conference of the Non – Aligned Movement (NAM), to take place in Havanna on 29 to 30 April 2009.

The Minister will also take part in the SA Embassy’s celebration of South Africa’s Freedom Day on Monday 27, April 2009. The celebrations will include Laying of wreaths at the bust of O.R Tambo at the African Founding Father’s Square as well as the Pantheon of International Combatants at the Colony Cemetery.

The visit is in the context of strengthening the relations between South Africa and the Socialist Republic of Cuba.

The Governments of South Africa and the
Socialist Republic of Cuba share the long-standing and cordial relations.

Ends

ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE.

Contact: Mr Sam Mkhwanazi
083 628 0858
or
Mr Themba Gadebe
083 62 808 62

NB: For telephone interviews with Minister Nqakula, members of the media may contact the Head of Communications, Mr Sphiwe Dlamini at 083 645 4294