Cuba and Africa's unbreakable bond
Struggle veteran Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo has highlighted Africa's unbreakable alliance with the people of Cuba which has been forged over the years.
Ya Toivo said Cuba, under the leadership of its late iconic leader Fidel Castro, embraced the liberation struggles of the African people as their own.
In particular, Cuba sent 30 000 volunteers to Angola between 1975 and 1991 to do battle with the apartheid regime.
The battle of Cuito Cuanavale and the Cuban intervention southern Angola is still regarded as one of the turning points in southern African history, which paved the way for Namibia's independence after the withdrawal of the South African soldiers.
“Cuban internationalism is felt daily in our countries, as your medical personnel, agricultural specialists, architects and sports specialists render services in our countries to contribute to the improvement of the lives of our people.
“The deep bonds forged between the people of Cuba and the people of Africa are unbreakable,” said Ya Toivo during the just-ended 5th Continental African Conference in Solidarity with Cuba, which was held in Windhoek.
Ya Toivo addressed the conference on behalf of the Namibia-Cuba Friendship Association.
The conference seeks to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the people of Cuba and their African counterparts.
“In our struggle, as in many others, the Cuban people showed the world the true meaning of friendship and international solidarity,” he said.
“Some may find it hard to believe that the people of a small island in the Caribbean could open their hearts to the peoples of so many far away nations as if they are members of their family. But Cuba has done this. Cuba has understood that all of humankind is a family and it has embraced us all as blood brothers and sisters.”
The conference was attended by representatives from various African countries.
The first conference took place in South Africa in 1995 and it was chaired by the late statesman Nelson Mandela.
In 1997, Ghana hosted the conference while Angola followed suit in 2010.
In 2012, the conference was moved to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
STAFF REPORTER
Ya Toivo said Cuba, under the leadership of its late iconic leader Fidel Castro, embraced the liberation struggles of the African people as their own.
In particular, Cuba sent 30 000 volunteers to Angola between 1975 and 1991 to do battle with the apartheid regime.
The battle of Cuito Cuanavale and the Cuban intervention southern Angola is still regarded as one of the turning points in southern African history, which paved the way for Namibia's independence after the withdrawal of the South African soldiers.
“Cuban internationalism is felt daily in our countries, as your medical personnel, agricultural specialists, architects and sports specialists render services in our countries to contribute to the improvement of the lives of our people.
“The deep bonds forged between the people of Cuba and the people of Africa are unbreakable,” said Ya Toivo during the just-ended 5th Continental African Conference in Solidarity with Cuba, which was held in Windhoek.
Ya Toivo addressed the conference on behalf of the Namibia-Cuba Friendship Association.
The conference seeks to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the people of Cuba and their African counterparts.
“In our struggle, as in many others, the Cuban people showed the world the true meaning of friendship and international solidarity,” he said.
“Some may find it hard to believe that the people of a small island in the Caribbean could open their hearts to the peoples of so many far away nations as if they are members of their family. But Cuba has done this. Cuba has understood that all of humankind is a family and it has embraced us all as blood brothers and sisters.”
The conference was attended by representatives from various African countries.
The first conference took place in South Africa in 1995 and it was chaired by the late statesman Nelson Mandela.
In 1997, Ghana hosted the conference while Angola followed suit in 2010.
In 2012, the conference was moved to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
STAFF REPORTER
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