Nicaragua Celebrates 46 Years of Sandinista Revolution in Pretoria
The event, attended by dignitaries including ambassadors and diplomats from Cuba, Venezuela, Russia, Iran, Sahrawi Republic and Vietnam, as well as representatives from the ANC, SACP, and South African youth organisations, marked a historic reflection on Nicaragua's transformative journey since 19 July 1979.
H.E. Ambassador Danilo Chang Cash opened the event with a stirring address, emphasising the revolution's enduring legacy of justice, freedom, and dignity. He highlighted Nicaragua's strides in social equity, noting the revolution's role in fostering hope and self-determination. 'The Sandinista Revolution reshaped Nicaragua, empowering communities and affirming our commitment to inclusive progress,' he stated.
The keynote address by H.E. John Hodgson Deerings, Presidential Advisor for Nicaragua's Southern Caribbean Coast and parliamentarian, provided a detailed recounting of the revolution's history and its profound impact. He underscored the autonomy granted to the Caribbean Coast's Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, including the Miskitu, Mayagna, Rama, Ulwa, Garífuna, and Creole peoples. 'The Statute of Autonomy has preserved ancestral cultures and empowered these communities to shape their future,' Deerings said. He cited significant achievements: over 30% of Nicaragua's territory is now legally recognized as communal property, ensuring sustainable resource use and cultural preservation.
Deerings also detailed Nicaragua's developmental strides under the National Plan to Fight Poverty. Primary education coverage exceeds 97%, illiteracy has dropped to 4.5%, and life expectancy has risen to 75 years. Maternal mortality has decreased by 58% since 2006, and 99% of the population enjoys electricity access, with 80% from renewable sources. Women's leadership thrives, with over 50% parliamentary representation, ranking Nicaragua fourth globally.
The event concluded with refreshments and renewed calls for solidarity with South Africa, Cuba, Venezuela, Palestine, and Iran, reinforcing Nicaragua's commitment to global justice and cooperation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
3 minutes ago
- The Herald
Police close probe into missing R465k Sedibeng mayoral chain
She then referred Sowetan to the NPA for reasons not to prosecute. The NPA is yet to respond. When asked for a comment, Maloka said: 'I am unable to comment about a process which was never in my control to give you acceptable outcomes. 'The municipality has a comprehensive security system in place in and around the office, which to date no-one knows or no report is available on how it was breached, so that improvements sought are informed accordingly.' DA MPL Kingsol Chabalala described the closure of the case as disturbing. 'This is a serious matter that leaves suspicions, as the case has be suddenly closed without any arrests or recovery of the mayoral chain,' he said. Chabalala has since written to Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi, calling for urgent intervention in what he describes as an 'unresolved matter'. In the letter, he raised concerns about transparency, accountability and the handling of public assets within the Sedibeng district municipality. 'The disappearance of a ceremonial asset valued at nearly half a million rand, coupled with the lack of transparency and accountability, undermines public trust in the municipality's leadership. 'Your intervention is critical to restoring confidence and ensuring that those responsible for any negligence or misconduct are held accountable. I trust that your office will treat this matter with the urgency and seriousness it demands. Please keep me informed of any actions taken or progress made in addressing this issue,' reads part of the letter. SowetanLIVE
The Herald
3 minutes ago
- The Herald
Mbalula blames DA for Trump's tariffs and US threats to sanction ANC leaders
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has suggested that the party's GNU partners were the catalyst of the recently implemented punitive tariffs and threats of sanctions of ANC leaders by the US. Speaking at a media briefing on the outcomes of the party's national executive committee, Mbalula accused the DA of 'political mischief', claiming that the ANC had identified the DA as having campaigned against transformative policies of the country during its trips to the US. The DA and the ANC have been at loggerheads over foreign policy. DA deputy minister Andrew Whitfield was fired by Ramaphosa after he travelled to the US while Pretoria was under continued attacks from the White House. 'You can't, for national interest, say undo BEE to appease the US because among others this is what the US wants of us, that we must do away with certain policies which for us in terms of transformation policy are not going to assist us,' he said. Mbalula dared the US to impose sanctions on ANC leaders, saying such threats by US congressional members would not deter the ANC from pursuing its transformation agenda. 'Even if it means that we suffer through sanctions as leaders of the ANC, let it be. We will never back imperialists to subvert our democracy, to subvert our sovereignty... We will never forsake our country which we fought for.' ANC to engage the SACP Mbalula said the ANC had resolved to engage its tripartite alliance partner, the SACP, to reverse its decision to contest elections. He said the SACP's decision had far-reaching consequences for the national democratic revolution. 'The ANC will act with maturity and fortitude, engaging our allies with humility but also with clarity ... However, we might have reached a stage where we are unable to [shift] the SACP from its decision to contest the elections and we believe that will weaken the NDR — and it is important that the SACP understands the implications of its decision,' he said. Western Cape reconfigured He announced that the NEC had resolved to disband its embattled Western Cape provincial executive committee. He said that the national subcommittees would be deployed to the province to reinforce political education, organisational discipline and strategic capacity. He said the party's working committee would oversee the process. He said the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces had recorded significant progress in rebuilding branches and restoring organisational coherence. He added that the NEC was satisfied with the advances made by the two provinces. The ANC disbanded the two provinces earlier this year after the election results which contributed to it falling below the 50% majority needed to govern the country. Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal are the most strategic provinces for the ANC, with more than 40% of its electoral base. Mbalula announced that the party's midterm policy review, dubbed the national general council, would be held in December at the Nasrec Expo Centre and be attended by 1,600 delegates. He said the party would finalise the theme of the NGC and its strategic framework. TimesLIVE
The Herald
3 minutes ago
- The Herald
Calls for cancellation grow after controversial ‘coloured' comments on Open Chats Podcast
The newly launched Open Chats Podcast faces fierce backlash and growing calls for cancellation after a controversial clip surfaced from its premiere episode, which many have labelled offensive towards the coloured community. Among those who condemned the remarks was PA leader and sport, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie, who released a video slamming the podcast hosts. In the video, McKenzie vowed to 'take them to the cleaners' and confirmed he has instructed the party's legal team to take action against the podcasters. Open Chats Podcast issued a statement addressing the backlash. 'We acknowledge the hurt caused by the clip that continues to circulate online and communicate our genuine regret for that. The intention was never to cause harm or disrespect the coloured community. Open Chats is a platform centred on open conversations which at times touch on sensitive topics. We should conduct our conversations in a respectful manner.' The podcast team also noted that the clip has been removed from the episode and follow-up discussions addressing the matter will feature in an upcoming episode. 'We thank those who have taken the time to reach out and hold us accountable. We listen and we are learning,' the statement said, adding the platform does not support racism or hate speech. Despite the apology, social media remains ablaze with criticism, with many users and community members calling for the podcast to be taken down. No legal proceedings have yet been confirmed by the PA's legal team.
