Castro, a personal tribute.

I am a product of the Cuban Revolution. Namibians are eternally indebted to Cuba for being a caring nation with firm principles and a true friend of Namibia. Cubans shed their precious blood for Namibia's freedom and independence. Those of us who studied in Cuba salute Commandant Fidel Castro. We embrace the Cuban people.

In 1977, I left Namibia for Angola. I met Cuban internationalists for the first time in Cassinga. At that time, I knew little about Cuba and its people.

As pioneers, we were educated by the SWAPO leadership in exile, about why Cuban internationalists were in Angola. As children, this made us to think deeper.

The Cubans had volunteered to assist a nation in need. They were sacrificing their lives in order to save our lives and maintain peace in Angola. This greatly inspired us, coming from a colonised Namibia.

At the end of 1977, a group of us were sent to Chibia in Angola to study Spanish in preparation for our departure for Cuba. Two Cuban teachers were provided by the government of Cuba. We excelled in the Spanish language, due to the conducive teaching method of the Cubans.

Cuba also allocated to us, two additional Cubans, a husband and wife, who acted as father and mother to us. We developed closeness and respected them.

We were constantly visited and guided by our leaders, especially, the founding president Dr Sam Nujoma, the late Comrade Peter Nanyemba and Greenwell Matongo.

While we were in Chi bia, apartheid South African invaded Angola and mercilessly attacked Cassinga, killing many defenceless Namibians. We appreciated the care and bravery of the Cuban internationalist troops who came to our rescue.

I left for Cuba in 1978, together with other SWAPO pioneers. We were very excited and curious. We had never seen Cuban children before and we were so keen to meet them.

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We flew from Luanda, Angola's capital, to Havana. We travelled in different groups; some went to the Island of Youth and others to Havana. Those who went to the Island were put in a school specifically meant for Namibian children to pursue their studies.

Some, though, attended different schools on the Island, where they mixed with pupils from Nicaragua, South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Congo, Cape Verde and the Polisario Front. No other country, big or small, has done what Cuba has done to educate young people from different nations in real need.

Our group, which did not go to the Island of Youth, included Sammuel Goagoseb, now permanent secretary of Home Affairs and Immigration; Willem Ekandjo, a senior pilot with Air Namibia; and many more. Some of us were sent to different schools in Cuba. At the time, Comrade Helmuth Angula was the SWAPO chief representative to Cuba. He had the responsibility to advise us on what to study and where.

I first wanted to become a pilot and cosmonaut. But Angula decided that I should study food chemistry. Together with another Namibian, Annastacia Amunyela, we were sent to an institute specialising in food studies. Due to our admiration of Commandant Castro, we used to imitate him. His speeches inspired us, educated us, and gave us direction in life.

When I completed food chemistry in 1981, I was honoured to have been accorded the position of best student of the school. A tree was planted at the school in my name.

I returned to Angola in 1981. In 1984, SWAPO sent me to the UK to pursue studies in the sciences. On my arrival in the UK, I realised that many of the students at my university were misinformed about the situation in Cuba. I teamed up with students from Cuba, Nicaragua and other Latin American countries to put the record straight.

I pursued studies in biochemistry with emphasis on marine fisheries, and I obtained a BSc and PhD in the same field.

I owe my current station in society to the people of Namibia who sacrificed their lives and fought so bravely to liberate the country. But I owe everything to the Cuban Revolution.

I have been a deputy minister of fisheries and marine resources (1995-1997). I then became minister of fisheries and marine resources from 1997 till today. I couldn't have made it but for the help I, and the others, received from Cuba and their leader, Commandant Fidel Castro. Thank you Cuba. Thank you President Castro.

By Abraham Iyambo, Namibia's minister of fisheries and marine resources.