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South Africa: Tributes paid to Cuban hero’s role in freeing Africa

SOUTH AFRICANS paid tribute to Cuban revolutionary soldier Jorge Risquet yesterday, recalling his great contribution to African liberation.

Mr Risquet, a founding member of the Communist Party of Cuba who was imprisoned and tortured under the regime of former dictator Fulgencio Batista, died on Monday at the age of 85.

He led the Patricio Lumumba Internationalist Battalion in the Republic of Congo and the civilian assistance mission to Angola from 1975 to 1979.

In 1988, he represented his country at negotiations following the defeat of South Africa’s invasion of Angola, in which Cuban forces played a key role.

In 2012, Mr Risquet was awarded the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in recognition of his solidarity with South Africa and its people.

The African National Congress said Mr Risquet was “a true revolutionary and friend of the people of Africa,” while the South African Communist Party called him an “outstanding leader, combatant and internationalist.”

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