Zim, Cuba share solid bond

IN the month of April, Cuba and Zimbabwe will mark 42 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries.

This historical event took place two days after Zimbabwe’s declaration of Independence on April 18, 1980.

This friendly relationship had been in existence way before Zimbabwe’s independence and since that time, both countries enjoy an excellent relationship.

The Cuban Island offered a training camp in the 1970s for the liberation war fighters during Zimbabwe’s struggle.

Cuba always provided solidarity support to the independent country of Zimbabwe.

A bilateral economic commission and collaboration programmes were established mainly in the health and education sectors.

The first group of young Zimbabweans left for Havana in 1985 to study for science degrees. Zimbabwe needed technicians and professionals to achieve the desired socio-economic and political development at the initial moments of its Independence.

Cuba offered to train teachers and health professionals.

Thousands of Zimbabweans have so far been trained from Cuban universities in various professional areas.

Approximately 3 000 Zimbabwean professionals have graduated from Cuba.

In addition, the Bindura University of Science Education in Mashonaland Central is a result of the bilateral cooperation between Cuba and Zimbabwe.

This has been the paradigm of our cooperation in the education sector, created to develop human capital in Zimbabwe, currently a national development strategy goal under President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030.

The year 1987 signalled great cooperation in the health sector.

The Cuban Island has maintained the assistance of a medical brigade in various provinces of Zimbabwe.

Cuban doctors, nurses and technicians have proudly and modestly assisted the Zimbabwean brothers.

Currently, Cuba has a small brigade of 14 medical doctors posted in Harare and Bulawayo hospitals.

The country is looking at increasing the number of doctors to be posted into Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean Government has maintained support of the Cuban Medical Brigade.

Cuban doctors have adapted easily to the Zimbabwean culture despite the challenge of communicating in English or in local dialects. This has been necessitated by the African and Cuban cultures which are inextricably mixed.

The Cuban doctors have joined the group of health professionals in Zimbabwe working hard to develop local health indicators and contributing to the improvement of the quality of the Zimbabwean national health system.

Both countries have a strategic and historical cooperation with a strong will to share expertise in new sectors or fields.

Cuba has initiated a plan to put up a production plant for animal vaccines.

This is part of technology transfer into Zimbabwe.

Although the two countries are geographically far apart, Cuba and Zimbabwe are very close in that they share the same principles and values in the solidarity of their people, and the resolute determination of their Independence ideals.

The ties with Zimbabwe are based on a dialogue that could not exist without full awareness of Africa’s contribution to Cuban identity, and of the value of Cuban existence in Africa. Cuba and Zimbabwe have always had a vibrant relationship; it is written on stone.

Together we have worked in the international arena. In spite of the economic and political pressures imposed on Cuba by the blockade of the United States, Zimbabwe has remained firmly behind Cuba.

In the same manner, Cuba rejects the sanctions against the Southern African country of Zimbabwe.