Ernesto "Che" Guevara

Today marks the 40th aniversary of the murder of Ernesto "Che" Guevara

There was no person more feared by the company (CIA) than Che Guevara because he had the capacity and charisma necessary to direct the struggle against the political repression of the traditional hierarchies in power in the countries of Latin America.

— Philip Agee, CIA agent

By December 1964, Che Guevara had emerged as a "revolutionary statesmen of world stature" and thus traveled to New York City as head of the Cuban delegation to speak at the United Nations. During his impassioned address, he criticized the United Nations inability to confront the "brutal policy of apartheid" in South Africa, proclaiming "can the United Nations do nothing to stop this?" Guevara then denounced the United States policy towards their black population, stating:

"Those who kill their own children and discriminate daily against them because of the color of their skin; those who let the murderers of blacks remain free, protecting them, and furthermore punishing the black population because they demand their legitimate rights as free men — how can those who do this consider themselves guardians of freedom?"

Source: Wikipedia

Over 9 000 SA youths to be trained as social workers

More than 9 000 unemployed youths will be trained as auxiliary social workers by 2010, the Department of Social Development said on Monday. Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya said the implementation of the training programme is part of an agreement of cooperation with Cuba's Minister of Labour and Social Security, Alfredo Morales Cartaya. "The youth will be trained and on completion be deployed in their communities to help us deal with the various social challenges such as assisting orphans and vulnerable children, alleviating the HIV and Aids [pandemic], vulnerable youth support and others," he said.

Cuba has developed a two-pronged work-training programme comprising a formal university-level programme and a rapid 12-month social work-training programme. As part of the implementation of the agreement, the Cuban programme will be replicated in South Africa to alleviate the shortage of social workers and create much-needed jobs as part of the Expanded Public Works Programme. "A rapid auxiliary social-worker training programme will surely help us deal with the critical shortages of social workers," said Skweyiya. He said the department will "train and absorb" 9360 auxiliary social workers by 2010.

Skweyiya was in Cuba to strengthen ties and formalise cooperation on social security, services to women, youth and children, community development, poverty alleviation and training of social service professionals. Departmental spokesperson Lakela Kaunda said youth from rural and poor communities will be favoured in the national recruitment programme.

The cooperation with Cuba will also include study tours and exchanges of technical expertise on policy development.

Source: Mail & Guardian