Cubans don't pay their debts - Geordin Hill-Lewis

Cuban bailout: Minister Davies must account to Parliament

The South African government has wasted R600 million on sustaining the failed Cuban state, including what government has called a "solidarity grant". This follows a R1.4 billion Cuban bailout that President Zuma authorised in December 2010.

When the Parliamentary session reconvenes, the Democratic Alliance (DA) will request that the Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, appear before Parliament to explain what economic objectives are achieved by this decision. We want to know how this cash injection for Cuba will help the millions of South Africans who live below the breadline.

Cuba has a tiny economy and little to offer South Africa by way of trade. Our trade with Cuba is unlikely to ever exceed R100 million per year. And at the same time, we have our own massive domestic problems in housing, energy, infrastructure, unemployment and a host of other areas. It is difficult to justify giving the Cuban regime R2 billion in handouts when our own people are suffering daily.

The R600 million Minister Davies handed out on Friday consisted of credit write-offs, new credit lines and some cash payments. It also includes a R100 million "solidarity grant", which will not need to be paid back to South Africa. 

The Cuban regime has a long track record of failing to pay back our loans. In 2010, South Africa had to write off R1.1 billion in bad Cuban debt, and on Friday we wrote off another R250 million in bad debt.

It is a tragic irony that a portion of the Cuban handout is earmarked to promote food security in Cuba, when our own food security is under threat here at home. We have recently been forced to import maize at a very high price, affecting millions of South Africans who rely on maize-based products as staple food.

The time has come for South Africa to invest in strategic partnerships that deliver prosperity for our people. Maintaining symbolic friendships at enormous costs do not help the South African people. 

Statement issued by Geordin Hill-Lewis, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry, February 6 2012

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CUBAN-solidarity-PONZI-scheme.... ....(see-also:-SA-cancels-R1.1bn-Cuban-Debt).... .....it-works-like-this:- In ZANU's Zimbabwe we called them "emergent businessmen". In SA they are identified as BEE "tenderpreneurs" & the like. The common denominator is . .more just "ruling party Front men", with connections to the ANCpf command chain (who will be "arranging & controlling" both the empowerment & the sweetheart Cuban deals). In Zim the 1st Min.of Finance was ENOS NKALA was openly referred to as "Mr 10%" by the emergent business community. They were known to be completely colour-blind when cash in brown envelopes changed hands. The CUBANS will buy SA stuff with SA money (as above) at inflated prices that will give the CUBANS, the ANCpf, & the TENDERPRENEURS all a very comfortable & unearned return on their misuse of SA taxpayers' money. When the PONZI scheme collapses, as it must, the CUBAN debt will be written off in solidarity.... whilst the next package of bi-lateral assistance is put together. Beats working for a living & you get fabulously rich, errrm empowered, in the shortest possible time. Yep, ZANUnomics folks = basket-case public finances for the voters of nations who practise it. ChikurubiZizoReVanhu p.s. I now note the NEXT assistance package is being launched in solidarity as I type. Wink-wink, now you see it, now you don't, like magic - simpl . .less by John Austin on February 06 2012, 21:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Life Boat for a drowning regime with no democracy ... ... no independent courts, no opposition parties, no free Press ... Ah. Now it makes sense. by Pieter Schoombee on February 07 2012, 08:30 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Cuban bailout. This is typical of ANC, our own people are crying out for food and housing and have been for a long time. The the ANC decide to hell with our people lets give Cuba a few billion to keep them happy. I personally don't see the logic behind this move. . .more Probably because I'm not an ANC cadre. . .less by Collitjies on February 07 2012, 09:54 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Shame without no end What is wrong with the ANC. Are they human. Do they have a conscience. Do they have a thinking mind. Do they care for the people of our country. They have no shame whatsoever. by Disgusted on February 07 2012, 12:57 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Cuban bail-out How to feed a dying horse good food!!!!! I hope the powers that be are haunted every night by the faces of the innocent children who are dying of hunger at home by Laura on February 07 2012, 13:40 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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