Pretoria, June 7, 2021.- Cuba participated as a Special Guest Country in the ceremony and military parade on the occasion of the change of command of the South African National Defense Forces, events that were chaired by the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the South African Armed Forces, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Ambassador Rodolfo Benítez Verson exchanged on the day with the outgoing Chief, General Solly Shoke, who went into retirement after an outstanding job, for more than 10 years, at the head of the country's armed forces.
In his farewell speech to the nation, General Shoke thanked Cuba in a special way for the excellent cooperation between the two countries in the defense sector. He praised, in particular, the great work carried out by Cuban collaborators in improving South African military technical equipment.
The Cuban Ambassador also held a friendly exchange with the new Chief of the National Defense Forces, General Rudzani Maphwanya, and with other high ranking officials of his staff.