Pretoria, April 27, 2020.- South Africa gave an emotional welcome to the Cuban Medical Brigade that will assist in the battle against the Coronavirus in this sister nation.
The Brigade is made up of 217 health professionals, which include Family Physicians, Epidemiologists, Biostatists, Healthcare Technology Engineers, Biotechnology experts, among other specialists.
The South African Airways plane from Cuba landed at the Waterkloof Air Force Military Base, in the city of Pretoria, at 12:01 am on Monday, April 27. Many South African media, leaders and organizations highlighted the symbolic coincidence of the arrival of Cuban doctors just beginning Freedom Day, a key date in the history of South Africa, which commemorates the defeat of the Apartheid regime and the beginning of a Free South Africa.
Cuban doctors were greeted at the air terminal with cheers to the historical leaders of Cuba and South Africa, Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela, welcome signs and Cuban flags.
A very large representation of the South African government received the Cuban delegation, headed by the Minister of Defense and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula; the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nokosazana Dlamini Zuma; the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor; the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu; the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe; the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Emmanuel Nzimande; the Minister of Employment and Labor, Thulas Nxesi, and the Minister of the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu. Also present were the Deputy Minister of Health, Joseph Phaala; Deputy Minister of Defense Thabang Makwetla; the Chief of Staff of the South African National Defense Forces, General General Lindile Yam; the Chief of South African Military Health Services, General Zola Dabula and the Chief of the South African Air Force, General Fabian Msimang, among other South African high level officials.
A representation from the Cuban Mission in South Africa, led by Ambassador Rodolfo Benítez Verson and Dr. Reynaldo Denis de Armas, Head of the Cuban Medical Brigade in South Africa, also participated in the reception.
In the statements made by the Ministers, they highlighted the special relations of brotherhood and cooperation that unite Cuba and South Africa and thanked the gesture of Cuba when responding once again, without hesitation, to the request for assistance, at times when the number of coronavirus cases in the country is rapidly increasing. Likewise, they thanked the families of our doctors for having accepted the sacrifice of allowing the separation of their loved ones, to allow them to help the South African people to face the pandemic. The criminal blockade imposed by the United States government against Cuba was also strongly condemned in the statements.
In making the conclusions of the event, the Cuban Ambassador wished the Medical Brigade many successes in the complex task assigned, and stressed that the arrival of Cuban health professionals has been welcome by South African as they are the living demonstration of the legacy of our historical leaders, Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela and representatives of the internationalist values of the Cuban Revolution.
"There cannot be a more honorable mission than the one that has been entrusted to you," said the Cuban representative. "You will help to save many lives of South African brothers and sisters. This will be remembered forever by this grateful people.”
The government of South Africa announced that the official welcoming ceremony for the Cuban Medical Brigade, to be led by the President of the Republic, Cyril Ramaphosa, will take place in the coming days, once the 14-day quarantine period is concluded.
Millions of South Africans kept up with every minute of the arrival event, broadcast live on television and radio in the country. Likewise, social networks were inundated with tens of thousands of emotional messages of thanks and affection from the South African people.
