Namibia to mourn Castro The government has declared a three-day mourning period for the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro, starting today.Castro, Cuba''s long-time revolutionary leader, died at the age of 90 last week.
A memorial service will be held next week Tuesday, 6 December, at the Parliament Gardens that will be addressed by President Hage Geingob, while all flags will fly at half-mast during this period of mourning.
Namibians from all walks of life are invited to join Geingob to pay homage and respect to the Cuban leader who played a major role in the liberation of Namibia from South African apartheid rule.
Cuba provided military, political and diplomatic support to the fight for Namibia''s freedom during the liberation struggle. It is reported that the country deployed more than 350 000 troops to Africa to the aid the MPLA in Angola and Swapo in Namibia, among other causes. Approximately 2 000 Cubans died fighting in the region.
Speaking during Castro''s memorial service in Havana on Tuesday this week, Geingob praised Castro as a true liberator.
He said the legacy of Fidel is an “eternally burning flame that will continue to inspire and ignite the passion of progressive forces of the world as it fights for economic justice and the realisation of an equitable world order.”
“When global politics are no longer clear cut, when alliances are falling apart when people are losing faith, it is in this moment that we need the razor-sharp clarity of mind and purpose which characterised the life of Fidel Castro,” he said.
JEMIMA BEUKES