The Kavango West Regional Council has joined the rest of the country in contributing financial support to Cuba through the "Namibians in Solidarity with the People of Cuba" campaign.
This was announced during a meeting between the NPSC Committee and Kavango West stakeholders in Nkurenkuru.
Cuba is currently facing a severe socio-economic crisis, largely due to over sixty years of economic blockade, recently intensified by restrictions on oil exports.
This has significantly affected key sectors such as health, energy, education, and agriculture, placing immense strain on the Cuban people.
In response, the Namibia-Cuba Friendship Association and the Sam Nujoma Foundation have launched the Namibians in Solidarity with the People of Cuba (NPSC) Campaign, led by a National Solidarity Committee chaired by Kangulohi Helmut Angula.
“The situation is really dire. We all know that since 1960, successive United States administrations have imposed an economic embargo against Cuba. But remember, this was an embargo imposed on Cuban-American economic interests. That is, the United States could not trade with Cuba, companies were prohibited from doing so, and Cubans could not travel to the United States, and vice versa. So, that was the embargo. However, Cuba could still have relations with any other country.”
The campaign seeks to mobilise financial and material support for Cuba in recognition of the critical role played by Cuba in defending the dignity of the African people.
Governor of Kavango West, Verno Sinimbo, said Cuba assisted in dismantling the apartheid regime in South Africa and contributed to Namibia’s struggle for independence.
“I therefore appeal to our political leaders, regional leaders, traditional leaders, business community, churches, civil society, farmers, workers, youth and every ordinary person residing in the Kavango West Region. Let us demonstrate solidarity with the Cuban people in a practical way. If you can contribute financially, please contribute. If you can think of any way that you can support this initiative, please do so. I want us to do it as one family, the Kavango West family. We want to do it as Namibians in support or in solidarity with the Cuban people.”
Governor Sinimbo further added that it is both a moral duty and a gesture of gratitude for Namibians to stand in solidarity with the Cuban people during this time of need.
Kicking off the donation process, a total of N$34.450 was pledged during the meeting.