Viva Cuba Libre

HOLIDAYS in Namibia are characterised by long-distance travels, either to weddings or funerals.

I was one of the lucky ones this Easter weekend to attend a full Oshiwambo wedding. It was well attended, literally by people from all over the country and beyond our borders, among them doctors, scientists, CEOs, lawyers, engineers, pilots, navy officers, journalists, business personalities, government officials, the list goes, many of them Cuba formed. The groom, a childhood friend to many of us and, a PhD holder and successful MD at the coast, himself also a Cuban product.As customary at happy events and with old friends, we related childhood stories from the refugee camps in Angola, the ‘special period’ at the Island of Youth in Cuba, etc and at a certain stage during the wedding a popular Cuban ritual erupted.’Esquina caliente’, direct English translation ‘hot corner’ – a common and informal group where heated debate is practised in the Cuban society on relevant topics of the time, from social, cultural, political issues affecting them. Bizarre to unfamiliar onlookers, it is so popular in that Caribbean country to the extent that there is a special TV program produced throughout that island nation, their own style of democracy at work, mostly sports topics, baseball in particular, dominates the debates. Our heated discussion or debate covered a wide range of topics mostly world and the local current political situation, and a young Namibian Cuban graduated nuclear doctor captured my imagination when he simplified politics as ‘a system’, (simple or complex) he said. The particles in a system are responsible for the equilibrium at all stages and he refers to particles as individuals and organs to organisations. He noted that a system can only be in conflict with other systems and an organ within a system can influence and possibly change a system. Sounds like quantum physics. The best way to effect change in a system is by particles or organs from within the system itself. I found this relevant to Namibia’s political arena.A self-proclaimed Namibian Cuban-graduated philosopher and an old friend, had his speeches dominated by El Commandante’s quotes throughout – one came out loud and clear. ‘La historia me absorbera’, history will absorb me.Yes, history has proven to IMF and UN the wrongs of the embargo. It must GO for ever. It is now time the cruel and inhuman economic embargo imposed on Cuba by the government of the USA not only be lifted, but the western democracies should emulate and copy Cuba’s health, education, sports and recreation systems for the benefit of all. Humanity has to learn and accept the good and humanitarian examples set by the Cuban nation during those years of economic suffocation to deal with the current global economic crisis.If this voice can make a difference, US President Obama should free the Cubans and they will freely share and export their expertise, especially to the poor of sub Saharan Africa. The SA election results and thereafter, our own November presidential elections, the all African Cup of Nations in Angola, the 2010 FIFA world cup in SA will focus the world attention on our region and it is time for all African free democratic systems to fully support and spearhead the final push for the freedom of the Ccuban people. They unconditionally and heroically contributed to our own freedoms.Patria o muerte. Venceremos !!!E G NghimwenaVia e-mail