Maravi

Rupiah salutes Cuba for taking part in Africa’s liberation struggles

Rupiah salutes Cuba for taking part in Africa’s liberation struggles
Written by Larry Moonze in Havana, Cuba
Thursday, October 01, 2009 1:07:59 AM

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said he would not have been president had colonialism and imperialism succeeded in Africa. President Banda urged Cubans to appreciate their revolution and its ideology. PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said he would not have been president had colonialism and imperialism succeeded in Africa. President Banda urged Cubans to appreciate their revolution and its ideology.

On visiting the Colom Cemetery where remains of Cuban internationalist combatants, particularly those who died in combat in Africa during the liberation struggle are buried, on Tuesday, President Banda said Cuba was an incredible country.

"You Cubans may not realise that your revolution, the ideology... has affected the whole world particularly Africa," he said. "I am touched, very touched that Cubans left their homeland to come and fight in Africa. Today I would not be here as President had colonialism and imperialism succeeded in Angola and the rest of Africa."

President Banda said it was an honour that the Cuban government had brought the Zambian delegation to the island.

He said he was moved after paying respects to the heroes of the Cuban Revolution.

President Banda said it was a good idea for Cuba to have brought the remains of all the fallen combatants to Cuba so that the world could pay its respects there in Havana.

He said he was pleased to have met a Cuban female general who fought alongside Fidel Castro in the Sierra Maestra mountains.

President Banda said Zambia also had a female general adding that women tended to be perfect precise [accurate] shooters.

He said he intends to afford the Zambian general, Dr Fridah Kazembe, an opportunity to visit Cuba to visit her counterpart.

President Banda said Zimbabwean Vice-President Joice Mujuru was a guerrilla too.

He said Vice-President Mujuru was feared by the Ian Smith group because of her accurate shot.

President Banda observed that Cuba was a mix of all races.

"Cuba is an incredible country," President Banda said. "The whole world is on this island."

President Banda also addressed African diplomats on Tuesday at a function that was said to be closed to the press. Later in the evening, he addressed Zambian students who happen to be the only Zambian community of the island. Again the activity was said to be a closed session. President Banda leaves Cuba for Zambia today.

Labels: CUBA, LIBERATION, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 12:08 AM