42 councillors chip in for Cuba fund

Namibia’s campaign to support crisis-hit Cuba is closing in on its N$1 million target, with government officials now turning to corporate Namibia and private citizens to contribute to the Namibia-Cuba Solidarity Campaign fund.

The appeal came last Thursday, as all 42 members of the National Council contributed a total of N$27 609 from their own pockets to the campaign, with a total of nearly N$700 000 raised so far.

Deputy chairperson of the National Solidarity Committee with Cuba, ambassador Tuliameni Kalomoh, said: “We may be happy making huge profits, but it is made possible by lives of people who sacrifice so that you can be free”.

He made the appeal during the official handover of the National Council’s contribution in Windhoek, where he stressed that the campaign is aimed at providing humanitarian assistance to ordinary Cubans.

“This campaign is humanitarian. No weapons,” Kalomoh said, adding that the initiative is “non-political” and “absolutely non-partisan”.

Crisis

The campaign is seeking funds as Cuba faces what Kalomoh described as a worsening humanitarian and energy crisis.

National Council chairperson Lukas Muha described the N$27 609 contribution as modest compared with the challenges confronting Cuba but said its significance extended beyond its monetary value.

“The contribution represents our recognition of Cuba’s contribution to our own history. It represents our appreciation for the friendship that has endured between our two nations. And it represents our belief that solidarity is a responsibility that must be lived and demonstrated through action,” Muha said.

He said Cuba’s contribution to Namibia extended beyond the liberation struggle, pointing to its continued involvement in the country’s health and education sectors after independence. “Solidarity must be reciprocal,” Muha said.

Kalomoh said the National Council’s contribution should also encourage ordinary Namibians to participate, regardless of the size of their donation.

“Every contribution matters, large or small,” he said.

The campaign has attributed Cuba’s humanitarian difficulties largely to the US economic embargo, which it described as an illegal and unjustified blockade.

“The struggle against this American blockade is not once-off event, because they are determined to suffocate the people of Cuba,” Kalomoh said.

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