Loan to Cuba

**Blurock** · 04-Feb-12, 07:30 AM

South Africa on Friday formalised a R350-million economic aid agreement with Cuba. In essence it is just another grant to Cuba as they have no means (or intentions?) to ever repay the debt. In 2010, South Africa wrote off two debts, to the tune of R926-million and R121-million, owed by Cuba.

The Package is a follow-up to President Jacob Zuma's state visit to Cuba in 2010, at which time he announced an economic help package to that country. It is high time for Zuma to stop gallivanting around the world and take cognisance of the suffering of his own people in the rural areas?

The deplorable school infrastructure and lack of services in rural areas have been well documented. Then there is the decaying transport infrastructure. Roads are not being maintained or upgraded due to lack of funding. Look at all the potholes! There is a backlog in housing and sanitation. Escom is in trouble, local government projects are put on hold. Wherever we turn there are backlogs and a decline in services. All this is being attributed to lack of funding.

Time for the ruling party to wake up, stop partying and look after our own!

**Dave A** · 04-Feb-12, 12:19 PM

I don't know if anyone has ever sat in a meeting where the trade union folk are espousing how marvelous Cuba and its brand of communism is, particularly the health care apparently.

A real inspiration as to how we should be doing things here...

**gac** · 07-Feb-12, 10:21 PM

I'd like to know how much of that "Loan" is finding its way back into JZ'z and his cronies pockets?

**Petrichor** · 08-Feb-12, 07:17 AM

What would the justification for this be? Surely trade with a country like Cuba cannot be of any significance to SA? Is this just a case of cronyism and lining ones own pockets like gac pointed out.