… Ngurare pointed to the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale as a defining moment in that struggle, describing it as an eternal flame of Cuban Namibian solidarity. …
… He said the contribution was “very little” compared with the role Cuba played in Namibia’s liberation struggle and its support after independence. “Cuba participated in Cuito Cuanavale, the last battle between Plan and South West Africa Territorial Force. …
… De la Uz also highlighted Cuba’s contribution to the liberation struggles of Southern Africa, particularly the involvement of Cuban forces in Angola and their role in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. …
… The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale became a defining moment in that history. Cuban forces fought alongside Angolan forces against the apartheid-era South African military and its allies. …
… Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted the 1988 Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola as a defining turning point, calling it “the biggest battle on African soil since the Second World War” and proof that “Apartheid’s military machine could be resisted and defeated.” She said the battle accele …
… Ngurare said the battle of Cuito Cuanavale, which he described as the last leg of operation Carlota, helped shatter apartheid South Africa’s military dominance and contributed to Namibia’s independence in 1990. …
… The SADC chairperson linked Namibia’s freedom directly to the historic Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, where liberation movements, supported by Cuba, confronted apartheid South Africa’s forces in Angola. …
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare visited Namibian students in Havana and heard complaints about electricity shortages and poor hostel food disrupting their studies. He pledged that the government would not abandon them, praising their resilience despite the difficult conditions.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare visited Namibian students in Havana and heard complaints about electricity shortages and poor hostel food disrupting their studies. He pledged that the government would not abandon them, praising their resilience despite the difficult conditions.
Parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu argues that Namibia's N$700,000 contribution to Cuba is inadequate given Cuba's role in the country's liberation struggle and current economic difficulties. He proposes the government consider donating an annual fishing quota as a once-off contribution and calls on businesses in fishing, mining, construction and pharmaceutical sectors to increase support.
Prime Minister Tjitunga Ngurare, speaking at a colloquium marking Fidel Castro's centenary, delivered a statement from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasizing Namibia's historical ties to Cuba and its recent support for ending the economic blockade, noting that Namibia was among 136 nations that called for the blockade's end.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered a statement honouring the centenary of Fidel Castro's birth and his legacy of support for oppressed peoples and Africa's struggles, emphasizing Castro's role in shaping Namibia's history.
Namibian people and organisations have raised over N$700,000 through a humanitarian campaign to support Cuba, with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah renewing calls for the complete and unconditional lifting of the US economic embargo against the Caribbean nation. The funds will be used to deliver medical supplies and solar-panel kits for electricity generation to Cuba.
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's humanitarian campaign for Cuba, which has raised more than N$700,000 in medical supplies and solar-panel kits, represents a moral obligation to reciprocate Cuba's support during Namibia's independence struggle. The author acknowledges both the impact of the US embargo on Cuba and Cuban government policy choices in the country's economic difficulties.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah commemorated Fidel Castro's centenary at State House, describing him as a "friend of Africa" whose internationalist commitment and support helped shape Namibia's liberation. She highlighted Cuba's crucial role in the 1988 Battle of Cuito Cuanavale and called the occasion "deeply personal" for Namibians.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare reaffirmed Namibia's commitment to Cuba during a commemoration in Havana, citing the country's support in Namibia's liberation struggle and rejecting international pressure to abandon the alliance. Ngurare called on the United Nations to compel the US to lift its economic embargo on Cuba, which he described as creating an inhuman humanitarian crisis.
SADC chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa issued a statement on Southern Africa Liberation Day (23 March) emphasizing Namibia's 1990 independence as a decisive turning point in the region's liberation struggle, linked to the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. He called for the region to preserve liberation history, remain united against emerging challenges, and continue supporting self-determination efforts across the continent.
At celebrations in Nkurenkuru, Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila commemorated Namibia's independence and the sacrifices of liberation heroes, while calling for renewed focus on socio-economic transformation, agricultural development, and inclusive growth to fulfil the vision of Vision 2030.
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as SADC chairperson, marked Southern Africa Liberation Day on 23 March 2026 by reflecting on regional liberation struggles, honouring freedom fighters and international allies like Cuba, and urging member states to remain united and vigilant in advancing the region's common agenda while supporting self-determination movements including the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.