Patience Makwele
The Namibia-Cuba solidarity campaign on Wednesday raised about N$2.6 million for medical supplies and solar energy equipment for Cuba, while a “mysterious donor” N$17 million contribution was announced during the fundraising gala in Windhoek.
Prime minister Elijah Ngurare announced the N$17 million donation during the fundraising proceedings, saying the amount was either being given or was already on its way.
“We have received a mysterious donor… The amount is as follows in terms of all added up which is being given or it’s on its way is N$17 million,” Ngurare said.
However, the prime minister’s office has declined to comment on the N$17 million, saying it is only focusing on the money raised during the gala.
“I have no comment on that. We are only focusing on the money that was raised during the gala dinner,” Ngurare’s spokesperson Rhingo Mutambo told the Windhoek Observer on Thursday.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Mutambo said the government had mobilised N$2,449,155 through ticket sales and pledges during the gala, which was organised by the office of prime minister in collaboration with the Namibia-Cuba Solidarity Association.
The statement said about 400 people attended the event at the NamPower Convention Centre, including President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Vice President Lucia Witbooi, Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Cabinet ministers, executive directors, private institutions and state-owned Enterprises.
The N$5 million fundraising target was set to support the purchase of medical supplies and solar energy equipment for Cuba.
Witbooi compared the fundraising effort to a church offering, saying the campaign chairperson had indicated a deficit of about N$1.2 million.
Several individuals, groups and institutions made pledges, including N$60 000 from a former Cuban student and architect, N$39 655 from a former combatants’ association and N$10 900 from former students and teachers who had travelled to Cuba.
A group of former Cuba students also confirmed that N$100 000 had already been deposited into the Namibia-Cuba Friendship Association’s Bank Windhoek account.
NamPower was among the institutions making contributions, with pledges from its table later reaching about N$195 000.
Chairperson of the Namibia-Cuba Solidarity Association Helmut Angula said the campaign had raised approximately N$1 million before the gala.
He said about €270 000 (about N$5 million) was needed for medical supplies that could be sent to Cuba soon, while N$3 million was required to procure a 20-foot container of solar energy kits.
“We are saying Cuba is not alone,” Angula said.
Cuban Ambassador Sergio Vigoa de la Uz said funds raised through the campaign had already been used to procure about two tonnes of medical supplies, which he said were ready to be shipped to Cuba.
“These medical supplies will help the health system for some months,” he said.
The ambassador also said restrictions on oil supplies and international trade were worsening Cuba’s economic difficulties.
He claimed that the country’s healthcare system was under growing pressure, including a surgical waiting list of about 100 000 patients, of whom 12 000 were children.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia was “duty-bound” to Cuba because of the role played by Cuban forces and professionals during Namibia’s liberation struggle and after independence.
She said Namibia could not forget Cuba’s contribution to the country’s freedom, particularly its role at the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale.
“What we are doing 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,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus called for the N$5 million fundraising ceiling to become a floor, urging continued support for the campaign.
She also said Namibia and Cuba were pursuing projects, including cooperation in the film industry, to keep the Cuban story alive.
“We have a responsibility to make sure that the story of Cuba, the story of our shared history and the sacrifices that were made, continues to be told, especially to the younger generation,” Theofelus said.
The campaign was launched earlier this year to mobilise humanitarian assistance for Cuba, with the funds earmarked for medical supplies and solar energy equipment.
