Cuba and Africa: The history that unites us
The first day of the Fifth Continental Conference of Solidarity with Cuba in Windhoek was a representation of what our country means for Africa: brotherhood, support, strength, friendship. Precisely, "Cuba has been an integral part of our lost battles and our battles won, until the final victory," said the Namibian president Hage Geingob at the inauguration of the important event.
Before asking for a minute's silence for Fidel in the conference hall of the Namibian capital, Geingob stated that no other person has left such a lasting legacy in the struggle for self-determination.
Among the objectives of the conference, he mentioned the discussion of the priorities in the actions of solidarity and the strengthening of the ties between the organizations of the continent. Also agree on new strategies to fight against the blockade imposed by the US government on Cuba.
"Africa will continue to support the people of Cuba until the complete elimination of economic and trade restrictions is achieved."
Namibia as the venue for this important conference is another platform to further promote friendship and solidarity in our nations. "This event will lead to the development of a common African strategy to support Cuba during this difficult time due to the economic reasons associated with the blockade," he added.
On the current context of the region, he said "we are living an era in which we are witnessing the emergence of the new Africa ... but we assume that as Africans we should be responsible for our own development.
During the inaugural session, Fernando González Llort, president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples (ICAP), emphasized: "In Africa, the essence of our nation is more than our roots."
"The complex international reality forces us to multiply our political and solidarity actions to prevent that the achievements of our people, with the amount of blood and sacrifice that these costed, be snatched from those who made them possible."
Speaking at the first session of the Fifth Continental Conference of Solidarity, the Cuban Hero reminded those present of the historical ties between the African continent and our country, as well as thanked the constant support to the cause for the return of the Cuban Five Heroes.
On Fidel's legacy, which is part of the debates of this meeting, he said: "There has never been a single non-African man in history who has done so much for Africa as Fidel. This undoubtedly leaves us the challenge to keep alive his legacy and to be consistent with his example and teachings. "
"What we have achieved to this day has been possible also thanks to the permanent solidarity we have received from the governments and peoples of the world, especially our African brothers," he said.
After cataloguing this event as transcendental, González thanked the Government and the Chancellery of Namibia, as well as the movements of solidarity for the organization of the event.
On Monday, delegates from Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Zambia and Ethiopia made reference to the ties that unite them with the island. Each of them emphasized Cuba's solidarity with the African continent. Meanwhile, other participants highlighted Cuba's right to self-determination.
The Conference divided into two commissions will today work on common positions to strengthen the fight against the blockade and the return of the illegally occupied territory of Guantánamo Base. As well as concrete more actions of solidarity and promote the legacy of Fidel and Che.
The debates on Tuesday will be included in the final declaration of this solidarity meeting, which concludes on June 7.
From Africa to Cuba: Perpetual solidarity
In Namibia to talk about Cuba is to instantly feel affection and respect, curiosity for an island, distant geographically, but close by common history. This is a reality that also extends to all Africa, because to say Cuba means brotherhood. So it is no surprise that Windhoek - the Namibian capital - from today is the site of the V Continental Conference of Solidarity with Cuba.
According to the latest figures offered by the Organizing Committee, 288 participants from countries such as South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso were registered.
The meeting will bring together over a hundred delegates from around 26 countries to discuss their relations with the island and strengthen solidarity. After weeks of preparation by the government and the Cuba-Namibia Friendship Association, the Country Club Hotel's conference room will host the working sessions divided into two commissions. Its central themes will be the fight against the economic, financial and commercial blockade imposed by the United States and the call for the return of the illegally occupied territory of Guantánamo.
These themes are joined by the links between solidarity movements with Cuba, the use of alternative means to spread the truth and the importance of the legacy of Fidel and Che.
In front of the Cuban delegation is Hero Fernando González, president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) that along with the legendary commander Víctor Dreke, comrade of Che decades ago in the guerrilla of the Congo and other members who conform the 20 Cuban representatives.
Under the motto "Intensifying solidarity and continuing the legacy of Fidel and Che", the event will be inaugurated by Namibian President Hage Geingob, whose speech is expected with interest and certainty that it will serve as a basis for enriching the debates.
The program of the event, until next day 7, will be completed with activities prepared by the Namibian authorities, the Friendship Association, the resident Cubans and the students of the Fidel Castro elementary school.
One of the special features of this meeting is the permanent exhibition in the Country Club halls of 100 photos of Fidel from different stages, made by the solidarity movement in South Africa. Later, the sample will be transferred to the National Library to be admired by the inhabitants of the capital.
Parallel to the preparation of the Conference, the Friendship Association has carried out several activities that have served as a liaison between two friendly peoples. For example, they held film exhibitions in different locations in the capital. In addition they held the "Friendship Carnaval" to expose the customs of Namibians and Cubans.
On the other hand, they made pullovers allusive to the event and to the memory of the Commandant in Chief Fidel Castro, which will be used by the Cuban delegates in the event.
The continental meeting was held prior to Ethiopia and for the organizers the Windhoek event could exceed previous ones by the number of participants.
Embassy of Cuba donates painting to Namibian Independence Museum.
Giraldo Mazola Collazo, Cuban Ambassador to Namibia, delivered to Genhart Gurirab, General Curator of the Independence Museum, a photo of the Hosea Kutaku School, which completes a special collection about Namibian education before Independence.
The Hosea Kutaku and Hendrik Witbooi Schools, both located on the Isle of Youth, were the ones that received during the 70s and 80s thousands of young Namibians, several hundred of them survivors of the Cassinga massacre.
The Museum has photos of the study centers abroad where the young Namibians were formed, but a sample of Cuban institutions was missing.
The Ambassador explained that during those years, around 25 thousand young Africans of different nationalities were simultaneously studying in the Isle of Youth. In addition, "Cuba placed as a condition that the countries of origin of students had to send with them a professor of history and another of geography from these nations." The flag that was in Cuban schools was the country of the student", he explained.
"Many of the graduates from these schools are prominent men and women from Namibia," said the Ambassador.
For his part, the curator thanked the gesture of the Cuban Embassy and expressed his satisfaction for the possibility to complete the collection. Gurirab was excited to "appreciate the place where many Namibian brothers and sisters studied and graduated." He also highlighted the historical relations between Cuba and Namibia.
Minister of Eradication of Poverty and Social Welfare begins visit to Cuba.
The Minister of Eradication of Poverty and Social Welfare of Namibia, Bishop Zephania Kameeta and his delegation, began an official visit to Cuba today. The Minister complies with an invitation made by his homologue, Margarita González, Minister of Labor and Social Security.
President of Namibia thanked for the assistance provided by Cuba in his State of the Nation address.
The President of the Republic of Namibia, Dr. Hage H. Geingob, in his State of the Nation address to the Parliament, thanked for the assistance provided by Cuba in the struggle for the independence of the Namibian people and condemned the unjust blockade of the United States against the Island.
The Namibian leader said:
“Allow me to single out the enormous contribution made by two of Namibia’s closest allies, namely the Republic of Angola and the Republic of Cuba towards Namibia’s freedom and independence. For many years, Angola was not only home to thousands of Namibians in exile, it was the main rear base from where our armed struggle was planned and waged.
As for Cuba, no other country outside Africa has contributed as selflessly as Cuba has, to the attainment of our freedom. We will forever cherish this true solidarity. The Cubans never came to plunder and take away our resources. They only came to assist and requested nothing in return. I was deeply honored last year to pay tribute to their fallen hero Comandante En Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz.
We are pleased by the steps taken by former President Obama to normalize Cuban American relations. We hope that the new US Administration will build on those efforts and abolish all vestiges of the blockade against Cuba.”