By Frederick Philander
WINDHOEK
Namibian student leaders last week held fruitful discussions and consultations in the capital with a representative of the National Youth Council and Communist Youth League of Cuba.
The Namibian delegation was represented by Andre Neville, Secretary-General of NANSO, together with representatives from the SRCs of UNAM, the Polytechnic of Namibia and IUM.
The meeting with Jesus Rafeal Mora, head of the International Relations Department of the Communist Youth League of Cuba, and the student leaders, was aimed at sharing student issues and extending the already long relationship Namibia has with Cuban student leaders and bodies.
“Jesus Mora explained to the Namibian student leaders that education in Cuba from pre-primary education to tertiary institution is free to everybody, and there are about 300 universities in Cuba. He also told us that students in his country receive allowances from the government. Even education to foreign students is free,” said Andre Neville.
Several Namibian students study in various fields at Cuban universities.
“The achievement of Cuba in education is that it has schools in all the provinces of the country and all schools are equipped with tv and video machines, a programme introduced by the government. At university level the Cubans have a programme called University Brigade for Social Work, which puts students on social work in the community to perform such social work in their respective communities,” Neville said.
According to him, Cuba has been a true friend to Namibia during difficult times such as during the battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola in 1988.
“Many Namibians received training in Cuba during the liberation struggle.
Since independence, many medical doctors are assisting in Namibian hospitals, and Namibian students are still studying in Cuba. This is an indication that Cuba is a genuine sister-country of Namibia,” the SG further informed the Cuban youth leader.
Both sides agreed during the meeting that there is great need for the students from both countries to create a strong relationship.
The meeting resolved that a bilateral agreement between the student organizations should be initiated and that the Communist Youth League of Cuba will facilitate the relationship with the Cuban Student Union and NANSO.