Cuban Medics Nobel Prize Nomination Divides SA: "The Ultimate Insult"

Tuesday, February 02, 2021 at 9:12 AM by Reeshni Chetty

- President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday night that South Africa would be nominating the Cuban Medical Brigade for the Nobel Peace Prize

- Ramaphosa thanked the government and people of Cuba during his address to the nation

- South Africans do not seem happy about the Nobel Peace Prize nomination and have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts

South Africans divided by Cuban medics Nobel Peace Prize Nomination: "The ultimate insult"

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President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke about South Africa nominating the Cuban Medical Brigade for a Nobel Peace Prize during his address to the nation. The president went on to praise and give thanks to Cuba for deploying 3 700 medical professionals throughout the world.

Ramaphosa also thanked the government and the people of Cuba. He stated that the Cuban medical professionals across the globe had treated over 38 000 Covid patients by November last year.

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South Africans have now taken to social media to discuss whether or not they believe the Cuban medical professionals deserve the Nobel Peace Prize nomination.

South Africa, nominate, Cuban medics, Nobel price, Mzansi reacts — President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa would be nominating the Cuban Medical Brigade for the Nobel Peace Prize. Image: GCIS
Source: UGC

According to Times Live, the Cuban medical officials arrived in Mzansi last year during the peak of the first wave. The Citizen reported that some SAns have argued that the Gift of the Givers should be rather nominated or receive some sort of recognition for their good work.

Take a look at some of the tweets regarding the Cuban doctors below:

@melvanwykct said:

"If we’re nominating groups for Nobel Prizes - I have no opinion as to whether the Cuban brigade deserves it or not as I don’t know enough about them - I strongly feel we should also nominate @GiftoftheGivers. They are more than deserving."

@jareater wrote:

"I get the Cuban medical staff doing incredible work on the continent during the pandemic but when will @GiftoftheGivers be nominated for a Nobel?! I mean they’re building hospitals in record time, building capacity in facilities, providing food & supplies."

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Herman Mashaba not happy with Cuban medics Nobel Prize nomination

@MaygeneD tweeted:

"@PresidencyZA can we please nominate our own health workers for the Nobel Prize? Thank you."

@prieurdp shared:

"It was going so well, and then @PresidencyZA thanks the Cubans. In the ultimate insult to our local medical heroes."

@Trevor_Himself added:

"#CyrilRamaphosa gave Cuba hundreds of millions for doctors we've never witnessed in action. Now his govt will nominate the Cuban Medical Brigade for the Nobel Peace Prize. How unpatriotic of a president. What of his own country's medical practitioners?"

Briefly.co.za yesterday reported that President Ramaphosa had eased lockdown regulations. President Ramaphosa started his speech by confirming the arrival of the first one million doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, calling it a turning point in the fight against the virus.

Ramaphosa announced that mask-wearing, hand sanitising and social distancing will remain in place. Ramaphosa called on South Africans to remain vigilant and continue to wear masks whenever in public places and if meeting with others.