The Cuban Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Carmelina Ramírez, held a fraternal meeting with the Minister of Primary-Secondary Education and Non-Formal Education, Cain Mathema. The Zimbabwean Minister highlighted the strength of the Cuban education system and ratified his country's willingness to increase cooperation in this area.
On the other side, the Cuban Ambassador thanked Zimbabwe for the recognition of the education system of the Caribbean island and gave him an invitation letter to participate in the 2021 Pedagogy Congress, which will take place virtually from February 1 to 3, 2021, with the slogan "Meeting for the Unity of Educators".
The Diplomat Magazine of Zimbabwe, awarded the Diplomat of the Year award for the Americas region to the Ambassador of Cuba, Carmelina Ramírez.
In the words of the Chairperson of the Candidates Nomination Committee, Anora Sibanda, the award seeks to recognize outstanding diplomats in Zimbabwe who have a positive impact on the lives of ordinary Zimbabwean citizens, who represent their countries well and they have excellent relations with other diplomats. Due to the conditions imposed by the extension of COVID19 this year, the event organizers went to the headquarters of the Diplomatic Mission of Cuba to deliver the distinction.
The Cuban diplomat thanked the recognition on behalf of the Cuban people. She reiterated her gratitude to the government and people of Zimbabwe for their friendship and permanent support in the fight against the blockade imposed by the US for more than six decades.
With 20 days to go before October 25, the day set aside by Sadc countries to amplify the region’s collective voice and express solidarity against illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, The Sunday Mail correspondent Wallace Ruzvidzo spoke to Cuban Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Carmelina Rodriguez, on the effects of sanctions on nations. Cuba is a victim of a 60-year-old United States embargo that prevents American businesses, and businesses with commercial activities in the United States, from conducting trade with Cuban interests.
Q: How would you characterise relations between Cuba and Zimbabwe?
A: Zimbabwe and Cuba enjoy a good relationship. I have always said this is a historical relationship based on friendship, mutual respect and collaboration. This relationship started before the independence (of Zimbabwe), during the liberation struggle.
The leaders of ZANU and ZAPU, late President Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, were in contact with the leadership of the Cuban Revolution.
After independence, the co-operation has been strengthened, particularly in education and health sectors.
Many Cuban technicians, professors and medical doctors came to Zimbabwe to give a hand in the process of building a new independent society.
More than 3 000 young Zimbabweans went to Cuba for training in our universities in the framework of the Cuban scholarship programme for students of Africa and Latin America. Cuba has contributed to the establishment of Bindura University of Science Education and Cuban professors have permanently been part of the staff at this institution.
Q: What areas of co-operation are in place in light of Covid-19?
A: Covid-19 has demonstrated the necessity of solidarity and co-operation among the countries and peoples because nobody can tackle this pandemic alone.
As you know, Cuba is a small island without solid economic resources, but has put in place a robust health system.
Cuba is world-famous for its ability to train outstanding doctors and nurses and for its generosity and spirit of solidarity in supporting other countries.
In Zimbabwe, we have permanent co-operation in the health sector through the Medical Brigade of 34 senior medical doctors. Some of them have participated in the fight against the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
They are ready to work together with Zimbabwean personnel on the control of this pandemic. The MOHCC (Ministry of Health and Child Care) announced that Zimbabwe has acquired Cuban Interferon Alfa2b, a product that reduces 50 percent of the virus in patients.
Cuba and Zimbabwe are working to further deepen and broaden co-operation in the development of the pharmaceutical industry, in establishing a plant to produce medicinal drugs in the country.
Q: What lessons can Zimbabwe learn from Cuba which has been under sanctions for a long time?
A: Resistance! Cuba understands very well the nature of economic sanctions. For 60 years, successive US governments have imposed an iron and inhuman economic, financial and commercial blockade on Cuba.
Sixty years of lack of food and medicine, the impossibility of obtaining spare parts for machinery or public transport, the lack of school supplies, or even the restrictions imposed on those who wish to trade or do solidarity donations to the Cuban people.
The policy of blockade continues to represent the biggest impediment to the development of the potential of the Cuban economy, for the implementation of the National Economic and Social Development Plan, and for attaining development. The current American administration has intensified the sanctions to provoke desperation among the people and push for a regime change in Cuba even in times of Covid-19.
Despite the obsession of the US government, Cuba has moved forward. We Cubans have been creative and have firmly resisted the onslaught of the worst economic siege, which has tried to suffocate the nation. Cuba is not alone.
Q: How best can the voice of countries under sanctions be heard?
A: We do not have the intention to give up, never. We have demonstrated that we are a resilient nation and we will continue resisting and fighting for our dreams and sovereignty. We have used all the scenarios to condemn this unprecedented siege in human history.
Since 1992, year after year, Cuba has presented to the (United Nations) General Assembly the Resolution of the necessity to end economic, commercial and financial blockade that has received categorical support from the international community, regardless of political positions and geographical areas. But the US government has demonstrated that it does not take into consideration the international opinion and continues applying its war policy against my country.
The Cuban Ambassador, Carmelina Ramírez, and the Counsellor, Yoisy Ford, received in the Embassy the two young Zimbabweans, Tavonga Mukhachana and Mduduzi Keith Gumbo, who were selected to study in Cuba the careers of Civil Engineering and Medicine respectively. The moment was propitious to congratulate the students for being winners of the scholarships and update them on the events of the island.
The Government of Zimbabwe invited the Ambassador of Cuba, Carmelina Ramírez, together with the group of African Ambassadors accredited in Harare, to participate in the virtual launch of the book of African memories and in the inauguration of the mobile museum of African liberation. At the meeting, President Emmerson Mnangagwa thanked the contribution and unconditional support of friendly countries in the African struggle to achieve its independence from colonialism and imperialism.
The African Memoir is the first publication that tells the more than 500-year history of this continent, from the African perspective and without global media manipulation. The Mobile Museum of African Liberation was also inaugurated which is equipped with high-tech equipment where visitors can interact to obtain information on the history of Africa and its victory against the oppressors.
TWO days after Zimbabwe’s declaration of independence, on April 20 1980, Cuba and Zimbabwe formally established their diplomatic relations.
However, the relationship between the two countries went way back to the ’70s, during the liberation struggle for Zimbabwe.
Despite the geographical distance between the two countries, Cuba and Zimbabwe have many things in common, among them, the hospitality and solidarity of its people, and the strong desire for freedom.
Both countries have paid a high price to keep their independence.
Havana, 18 April 2020
President:
On the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Zimbabwe, I convey to you cordial congratulations and I ratify the willingness to enhance the relations of friendship and cooperation between our countries.
Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration and esteem.
Pretoria, October 25, 2019.- Cuba and the African countries are united by historical ties which have always been ruled by mutual solidarity and collaboration. In the case of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), we have very positive relations with its 16 Member States and within its sub regional organization where we have an accredited Ambassador.