Namibia and Cuba have reaffirmed their long-standing solidarity and historic friendship as the two countries marked the 73rd Moncada Day commemoration, with a procession through Windhoek culminating at the Fidel Castro Primary School.
The commemoration also highlighted Namibia's continued support for Cuba in the face of the decades-long United States economic, commercial and financial embargo.
Namibia has consistently joined the international community in calling for an end to the blockade, describing it as a unilateral measure that continues to affect the Cuban people.
Speakers at the event said the solidarity shown during the procession reflects Namibia's commitment to standing with Cuba and strengthening the historic partnership between the two countries.
Speaking to the learners, Cuban Ambassador to Namibia Sergio De La Uz said the naming of the school reflects the deep and enduring bond between the two nations, built through the solidarity between Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro and Namibia's Founding President Sam Nujoma.
"Justice for the future of Namibia and the participation of students so that Namibia's future is built on solidarity and justice. We encourage students to help build the world we want for you. Long live the legacy of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz and Founding Father Sam Nujoma. Long live the strong brotherhood between Cuba and Namibia.”
De La Uz thanked the Namibian government and people for preserving the legacy of solidarity, saying the school serves as a reminder of the shared history and continued cooperation between the two countries.
Deputy Chief of the National Solidarity with Cuba Committee, Ambassador Tuliameni Kalomoh, emphasised that the commemoration highlights the importance of safeguarding the historical relationship between Namibia and Cuba.
“This school is named after Commandante Fidel Castro, the man who embodies the death of the genuine essence of internationalism, the man who faithfully fought and defended the Cuban Revolution and supported people all over Africa who fought for their independence and freedom.”
The remarks followed a solidarity procession from the Cuban Embassy to Fidel Castro Primary School, where Namibia and Cuba marked Moncada Day, observed annually on 26 July to commemorate the 1953 attack on the Moncada Barracks in Cuba, an event that became a defining moment in the country's revolutionary history.