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.
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.”
Windhoek, Namibia, March 27th-With the signatures of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of Namibia, Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and the President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples (ICAP, for its acronym in Spanish), Kenya Serrano, was announced to all the African movements of solidarity with Cuba an invitation to participate in the V Continental Conference of Solidarity with the Island.
Below is the full text of the call.
“Dear Friends of Cuba from African continent and other Parts of the world,
I have the honor to inform that Namibia will be hosting the 5th Continental African Conference in Solidarity with Cuba, from 5th -7th June 2017. The observance of this conference constitutes another action for further strengthening the friendship and solidarity among our respective nations in the present international scenery.
This event will take place when the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the People (ICAP, for its acronym in Spanish), already attained its 56th Anniversary of its formation and Cubans are still celebrating the release of the Five Heroes from the USA jails. This was brought about and made possible by the great support of international solidarity movements, in which the African organizations played a very outstanding role. This conference will be a reaffirmation of the strong and excellent solidarity relations that unite Cuba and Africa.
The hosting by Namibia of the 5th Continental African Conference in Solidarity with Cuba will be a follow-up on the previous ones, especially the Fourth Regional Meeting celebrated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in September 2012. In this new international context, together, we will analyze and ratify the importance of the solidarity and friendship actions in terms of the most relevant subjects at present. The actions for ending of the US political, economic and financial blockade against Cuba, the withdrawal of Guantanamo Military Base from the Cuban territory, respect and recognizance of Cuban rights to decide its model of society, the future of its peoples and self-determination, opinions, initiatives and exchange of strategies to improve methods and procedures for solidarity work, among other matters, will be important aspects to be analyzed during the Conference.
Also will be an occasion to pay tribute to the memory of the late Commander in Chief Fidel Castro and to remember and to renew our commitment with his legacy.
There is no doubt that this continental meeting will be a step forward for the consolidation of the solidarity movements with Cuba and African countries.
It is against this background that we are inviting you to this important gathering scheduled to take place from 5th -7th June 2017, in Windhoek, Namibia.
Looking forward for confirmation and participation on this important gathering.
Please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.
Fraternally,
Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation | Hon. Kenia Serrano President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples (ICAP, for its acronym in Spanish)” |
Peya Mushelenga, Vice Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, in his speech to the National Budget debate for the period 2017-2018, held in Parliament, condemned the unjust US Blockade against Cuba, reaffirmed the support of his Government to Cuba in the struggle for the elimination ofthat genocidal policy and recalled the figure of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro.
The Namibian politician said:
“The plight of the Cuban people shall forever remain a matter of interest to me. As long as the blockade imposed on them by the US is not finally removed, efforts to normalise relations between the two countries remain just hanging there. I salute the people of Cuba for the fortitude that they have maintained all those years, walking tall in the jungle of camelthorns. No amount of infuriating power politics has broken their relentlessness. I am inspired by their courage and determination. My unwavering support to their cause is boundless! Read my lips and hear me saying this – I will continue to condemn any attempt to undo the progress of the Cuban revolution as I have done before in this august house, and elsewhere, without fear or favour.
The mentioning of Cuba brings me close to tears, though, as I reminisces about Commandant Fidel Castro Ruz, a giant of a man, both in terms of physical stature and revolutionary eminence, who departed to the world beyond tangible human access and comprehension, last year. Commandant Fidel Castro Ruz dwarfed over-sized giants from the opposite end of the spectrum. Standing his grounds, he outsmarted them, ducking arrows from their politico-military and diplomatic offences, while striking back, as sharp shooter, from his coordinated angle of attack. Oh, yes! He took international platforms by the storm, hitting the nail on the head and levelling his opponents to the ground.
Though his departure has created emptiness in the Cuban revolutionary diagram, his legacy will continue to galvanize and sustain the progressive cause of his people, because heroes never die! Southern Africa and Namibia in particular shall forever remain indebted and truly grateful to this illustrious son of the soil, for the selfless support that he and his people have rendered to the cause of our freedom. What a comrade! What a revolutionary! At this juncture I cannot help, but say Viva Fidel! Vivan la Revolución y el pueblo de Cuba! Hasta la victoria siempre! Venceremos!”
A political and cultural act was held at the Central Hospital of Windhoek to farewell seven Cuban health workers, who concluded their mission in Namibia.
The event was chaired by Giraldo Mazola, Cuban Ambassador in this country, Dr. Aniuska Palacio, Chief of the Cuban Medical Brigade, and other members of the mission's diplomatic staff.
In the words of farewell, Dr. Aniuska expressed gratitude for the effort and willingness to help other peoples of the world who are most in need in the health sector. He also recalled the example of the Commander in Chief and the internationalist vocation he instilled in Cubans.
The doctor concluded with a well-known and valid phrase from our Commander in Chief: "To be internationalists is to pay off our own debt to humanity. Whoever is not able to fight for others will never be able to fight for himself. "
For his part, Cuban Ambassador Giraldo Mazola congratulated to the doctors for the work they had done and urged them to continue with the same dedication and commitment once they return to work in Cuba.