Patience Makwele
Namibian people, organisations and institutions have raised more than N$700 000 through a humanitarian campaign aimed at supporting Cuba, as President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah renewed Namibia’s call for the complete and unconditional lifting of the United States’ economic, commercial and financial embargo against the Caribbean nation.
The funds were raised through the Namibians in Solidarity with the People of Cuba Campaign for Humanitarian Aid which was launched in Windhoek on 22 April 2026 and spearheaded by the Namibia-Cuba Friendship Association and the Sam Nujoma Foundation.
This was revealed by Cuban Ambassador to Namibia Sergio Vigoa de la Uz who expressed gratitude to the Namibian people, organisations and institutions that contributed to the campaign, saying the support would facilitate the delivery of medical supplies and solar-panel kits for electricity generation to Cuba.
“Today, again, generosity and commitment, we will be able to deliver a valuable donation of medical supplies and solar panel kits for electricity generation to our country, which constitutes a concrete contribution to alleviating the hardships we face,” de la Uz said.
He said the campaign demonstrated the enduring friendship between Namibia and Cuba, describing the relationship as one built on internationalist solidarity and the two countries’ shared history of struggle for freedom, independence and dignity.
De la Uz also highlighted Cuba’s contribution to the liberation struggles of Southern Africa, particularly the involvement of Cuban forces in Angola and their role in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale.
He said the battle marked a turning point in the history of Southern Africa and contributed to the process that led to Namibia’s independence.
According to the ambassador, Cuba’s solidarity with Namibia extended beyond the liberation struggle, with thousands of Cuban professionals contributing to Namibia’s development in sectors including health, education, agriculture and construction.
“Every doctor, every teacher, every technician, and every Cuban collaborator who has served in Namibia has brought with them not only professional knowledge, but also a message of friendship and fraternity,” he said.
The remarks were made during the 100th Birthday Anniversary of El Comandante Fidel Castro Ruz in Windhoek on Thursday, marking the centenary of the birth of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro Ruz.
Nandi-Ndaitwah used the occasion to reaffirm Namibia’s support for Cuba and called for the lifting of the US embargo, which she said has been in place for more than six decades.
“For more than six decades, Cuba has endured a unilateral economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America, which has been intensified in recent days,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah argued that such measures place the greatest burden on ordinary Cubans and said economic coercion was incompatible with the principles of the United Nations.
“We therefore underline our principled call for the complete and unconditional lifting of the economic embargo against Cuba,” she said.
The President also paid tribute to Cuba’s role in Namibia’s liberation struggle, saying the relationship between the two countries was forged through “shared struggle, shared sacrifice and shared humanity”.
She said Namibia had not forgotten the Cuban soldiers who stood alongside the peoples of Southern Africa in the fight against colonialism, racism and apartheid.
Nandi-Ndaitwah further highlighted the continued presence of Cuban professionals in Namibia, including doctors and other health professionals, engineers, town planners and sports experts.
She said their contribution was evidence of the enduring bonds between the two countries.
The humanitarian campaign now provides a practical expression of those ties, with the funds raised in Namibia being channelled towards assistance for Cuba at a time when the country continues to face significant economic challenges.
