Presentations were made by three speakers namely, Ambassador Dries Venter, the Chief Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, representing the Department, the ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to South Africa, His Excellency Ambassador Carlos Fernandez de Cossio and Mr Christopher Matlhako, the Secretary General of Friends of Cuba Society of South Africa (FOCUS-SA). The American embassy was invited but could not attend. The Chairperson of the Committee, Mr HT Magama MP delivered a guiding statement of objectives. 2.1 Attendance