Text and photos: Enrique Moreno Gimeranez
Not to say goodbye to a leader, but with the conviction of celebrating the life of a revolutionary and honoring an African icon; the people and the highest authorities of Namibia, together with Heads of State and other international dignitaries, attended this February 28 the Memorial Service of the State Funeral of the Founding Father of the Namibian Nation and first President of the sister Republic of Namibia, Dr. Sam Nujoma; held at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek, packed since before dawn by thousands of residents of the capital and other parts of the country.
To pay tribute to this dear friend of Cuba, on behalf of the Party, the State, the Government and the people of our nation; The emotional ceremony was attended by member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Party, Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of the People's Power and the Council of State.
«Saying goodbye to Dr. Nujoma, a great icon of Africa's struggle against colonialism and apartheid, and an unconditional friend of Cubans, is not only difficult and painful, but also constitutes an act of great responsibility, since I must speak on behalf of the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz; of the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of our Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; and of all our people.
«Speaking on behalf of Cubans is very compromising, because our people know very well how much it cost the Namibian brothers, led by comrade Nujoma, to achieve their independence and put an end to the racist and segregationist regime of apartheid imposed by South Africa,» said Lazo Hernández at the beginning of his speech, alluding to the great responsibility of sharing the message of solidarity of our compatriots for the physical departure of the distinguished African fighter, which we also feel as our own.
"From the trenches we shared alongside the heroic Namibian fighters, with weapons in hand, we saw Dr. Nujoma's leadership grow at the head of SWAPO in the struggle for independence and in mobilizing international support for this sublime cause. We feel a healthy pride because history has united our people to this world symbol of rebellion, bravery, defense of dignity and revolutionary intransigence, which we Cubans learned to admire and respect," said the head of the high-level Cuban delegation present at the State Funeral.
At the same time, the head of the Cuban Parliament underlined the deep friendship forged by the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, and Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, with Dr. Sam Nujoma, which cemented the current brotherhood between our two peoples. "With Nujoma we built together the roads of Cuba and Namibia, and that footprint we left is our legacy, to which we will always be faithful by strengthening friendship, brotherhood and cooperation between our nations," said Esteban Lazo in his speech applauded by those attending the Commemorative Service.
On the other hand, he acknowledged that the Namibian hero was a fervent promoter of solidarity and cooperation with our country, and never ceased to recognize the Cuban contribution to the struggles for the liberation of Africa and the end of the disgraceful apartheid regime. He thanked him for his unwavering support for the just cause of the Cuban people to end the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States Government. He also praised the fact that, during his founding presidency, he laid the foundations for a democratic State, promoted national reconciliation, worked hard to reduce the enormous inequalities inherited from apartheid, promoted policies in favour of social inclusion and economic growth; and at the same time strengthened Namibia's prestige in the international arena.
"That is why Cuba, a country inextricably linked to Africa and Namibia, joins you today to remember his immense legacy; but, above all, to pay tribute to his extraordinary life," said the President of the National Assembly.
At the State Funeral Commemorative Service, which was also attended by all members of the high-level Cuban delegation; the main Namibian authorities highlighted in their speeches the historic solidarity of the Greater Antilles, its contribution to the struggles for the liberation of Africa and the end of apartheid, and the example of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro.
Later, Esteban Lazo exchanged views with the presidents of Angola, João Lourenço; and of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa. In addition, when greeting the president of Namibia, Dr. Nangolo Mbumba; as well as the president-elect of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah; to Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba, second President of the Republic of Namibia; to the family of Sam Nujoma and to other leaders of the sister African nation, he conveyed his deepest condolences on behalf of Army General Raúl Castro and the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, on the physical departure of this distinguished Namibian national hero.
