adminElita Chikwati Senior Reporter
Visiting Cuban Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Marcelino Medina has paid tribute to former president Cde Robert Mugabe. He conveyed his condolences when he paid a courtesy call on Speaker of the House of Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda at Parliament yesterday.
Speaking after the meeting, Adv Mudenda said Mr Medina was saddened by Cde Mugabe’s death considering the strong friendship between Zimbabwe and Cuba.
“Vice Minister Medina paid condolences to us and I accepted the condolences against the background that he was a very strong friend of Cuba on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“It was through him that we had this arrangement to have training of science teachers in Cuba.
“Through his efforts, soon after independence, we were able to have 3 000 teachers trained in Cuba in sciences and mathematics, as well as his influence on the late Fidel Castro in ensuring we got some assistance in the educational sector.
“I also indicated that former president Mugabe was forthright in his support of Cuba, particularly against the economic embargo imposed by Europeans.
“He was one of the few African leaders who stood firmly with Cuba, especially during the United Nations General Assembly.”
Relations between Zimbabwe and Cuba date back to the days of the liberation struggle when in 1978 Cde Mugabe visited Cuba.
Cde Castro pledged to open an office of the Cuban Ambassador to Zanu in Maputo, which he did to keep abreast of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
Online Reporter