More than 300 South Africans studying medicine in Cuba

[Minstrel Boy]

More than 300 South Africans studying medicine in Cuba
Granma, Aug 4

"THIS year we are celebrating 10 years of freedom, and it is thanks to the Cuban government and people, who have been with us through the difficult years of our revolution," affirmed Thenjiwe Ethel Mtintso, ambassador of the Republic of South Africa in Havana. She was speaking at a ceremony to bid farewell to 32 South Africans who have studying medicine for five years in Cuba and will do their internships at universities and hospitals in their country.

Mtintso emphasized that this was the third group of students to have completed the course, and urged them not to forget the sacrifices signified by Cuba’s internationalist aid to the revolutions in Angola and South Africa. "Remember who you are and where you were educated, and we hope that you will be revolutionary doctors who will serve the people," she added.

The ambassador announced that before 1994, more than 2,000 South African students had graduated in Cuba, and many others, "including myself, came for political education."

She quoted Che Guevara, who in addressing medical students in 1960 said, "we have the right, and even the obligation of being before all else, revolutionary doctors, who put their knowledge to the service of the Revolution and the people."
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2004/agosto/mier4/32sud.html

South Africa's ambassador to Cuba, Thenjiwe Ethel Mtintso:



A veteran freedom fighter and gender activist, Thenjiwe is Deputy Secretary General of the African National Congress; former Chair of the Commission on Gender Equality and former commander of MK, the ANC's military wing during the struggle for South Africa's liberation.

She recently completed her master's dissertation on the impact of, and constraints faced by women parliamentarians in the new South Africa.
http://www.genderlinks.org.za/about/board.htm

Y'know, when it seems like nothing ever changes for the better these days, it makes me a little more hopeful to think of South Africa, and that Thenjiwe Mtintso is its ambassador to Cuba.

[the Kelly Gang]

1. I'm amazed Castro lasted this long..do you think the USA has let

him remain there because it needed a great 'bogeyman' they could always point to ?

[Aidoneus]

2. more like..

because attempts to roll back the revolution have embarassingly failed, and nuclear weapons are a bit much for even the childish tantrum they habitually throw over the revolution in Cuba.

[Jerseygirltoo]

3. They come from many countries

Cuba has medical students from many third world countries, all on full scholarships. Also some American medical students (I know some are from Harlem, people who would never be able to afford medical school in this country). And they have sent 50,000 doctors to work for free in 93 third world countries.

[struggle4progress]

4. Unfortunately, the US med students recently left. eom