A friend indeed and in need

Adolf Kaure

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibia is duty-bound to stand by side-by-side with its all-weather friend: Cuba. 

This summation is derived from Nandi-Ndaitwah’s address at an event hosted to raise funds for Cuba as the country grapples increased sanctions from the United States. 

“Initiatives such as this gala dinner demonstrate Namibia’s individual and collective continued commitment to stand with the people of Cuba during this moment of need. Solidarity is not merely a feeling. It requires us to stand together, to give what we can and to refuse to turn away when a friend is facing adversity,” she said.

The worsening state of living conditions for Cuba, especially in recent times, has led Namibia, through the Office of the Prime Minister, to intervene by setting up the Namibia-Cuban Association.

The association’s task is to gather funds to purchase medicine and solar kits for Cuban people through a campaign.

While calling on gatherers at the event to contribute generously to the noble cause, Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised that the funds being raised for Cuba are not a form of paying them back but a moral responsibility.

“What we are doing here is not paying back, we will never be able to pay back Cuba for what they have done to us, as the price is unlimited. What we are doing is a moral responsibility. Every contribution, regardless of its size, has a great impact on the people of Cuba. It tells the Cuban people that the friendship forged in struggle remains alive. It tells them that Namibia remembers. It tells them that they do not walk this difficult road alone,” said the president.

An amount of N$2 449 155 was raised through sales of tickets and pledges during the Gala Dinner organised. 

On behalf of Cuba, the Cuban ambassador to Namibia, Sergio Vigoa de la Uz, expressed his gratitude for contributions made by Namibians to ease their hardships. 

The Cuban government has been on record, saying the US embargo cost its economy $8bn between March 2025 and February 2026, the highest figure yet recorded and 7% more than in the previous reporting period.

The total does not include some of Washington’s more recent sanctions, including restrictions on the island’s energy supply imposed in January and secondary sanctions imposed in May.

As result, food has been spoiling without refrigeration, parents fanning their babies through the heat, children trying to do their schoolwork in the dark and young people going without internet access.

Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez recently called the situation “collective punishment”, blaming what he described as a US “energy siege”, an “extreme tightening of the blockade” and secondary sanctions.

Tensions between Washington and Havana have intensified under US president Donald Trump, even after officials held talks earlier this year. Those contacts have since stopped.

The diplomatic fight will soon move back to the United Nations.

Rodríguez said the United Nations General Assembly will take up its annual resolution calling for an end to the US embargo.

He accused Washington of putting “extraordinary pressure and intimidation” on other UN member states ahead of the vote, but said Cuba still expects “overwhelming support” for ending the embargo.

Meanwhile, Independent Patriots for Change Member of Parliament, Lilian Lutuhezi contributed to the solidarity with Cuba motion on 16 September in Parliament.

Despite acknowledging Namibia’s long and historic relationship with Cuba, Lutuhezi urged the House to show the same solidarity to challenges faced by Namibians. 

“We cannot speak about the dignity and wellbeing of children elsewhere while our own children are going hungry,” she said. 

In Witvlei, Omaheke Region, reports indicate that the clinic is seeing approximately 10 to 15 malnourished children a day. 

“This should shock our conscience. We cannot accept a situation where children are suffering, and in some cases dying, because they do not have enough food. 

Pleading with Prime Minister, Elijah Ngurare, she stressed that no parent should have to bury their child because of hunger due to the nation failing to act when there was still time to save that child. 

Affirmative Repositioning leader, Job Amupanda proposed amendments to the motion on the same day. 

Amupanda called for the Namibian government to engage in practical economic arrangements for Cuban enterprises to get economic opportunities in Namibia. 

He also called on the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation in consultation with the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade to report back to National Assembly regarding the clause. 

“Southern African Development Community needs to encourage similar economic arrangements for the benefit of Cuba. This request should be channelled through the appropriate regional diplomatic structures, including the SADC Secretariat and the SADC Parliamentarian Forum. 

Amupanda further resolved that the Speaker of Parliament, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and Presidential minister Charles Mubita should report back to Parliament within 12 months on the implementation of the notion. 

This includes the status of the protocol, the progress on the economic arrangements, the outcome of SADC engagement and any other measures taken to give effect on the motion. 

– Additional report from Aljazeera 

– akaure@nepc.com.na

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