[FROM THE ARCHIVES] Let’s Talk About Cuba

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟯𝟬 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭. The Cuba-South Africa relationship goes back to the late 1990s when it was decided to exchange technical skills and training as a tangible expression of the South African government’s commitment to supporting an ideological ally. The bilateral agreement has seen South African students study medicine in Havana and Cuban doctors deployed in various South African government hospitals, while military mechanics have been helping to maintain military equipment for the SANDF. The cooperation has come at a great cost to the South African taxpayer. Recently, the Department of Water and Sanitation’s latest importation of 24 Cuban engineers to assist in urgent maintenance of municipal infrastructure in far-flung rural provinces has spurred legal action to try and stop the move. Carte Blanche investigates what’s at stake for unemployed local engineers. #CarteBlanche