Lindiwe Sisulu Says Cuban Engineers Are For Mentorship, Not Employment
- Minister of Water and Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu is trying to clear the air about the Cuban engineers in SA
- Sisulu insists that the Cuban engineers were not called for employment but are here for mentorship
- The minister says that South Africans need to remember the role that Cuba played during apartheid
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There was outrage from South Africans when Cuban engineers were brought into the country but for work, but Minister Lindiwe Sisulu says that they are here for mentorship.
Citizens felt that it was unfair for foreign nationals to be brought when there are a number of unemployed graduates looking for work. Sisulu maintains that the Cubans were not brought here for employment.
According to Sisulu, the Cubans were brought in to help with South Africa's ailing water infrastructure. They are also present to help municipal workers with their skills.
Source: Getty Images
On Freedom Day, the minister released a statement to clear the air about why the Cuban engineers were given jobs in South Africa. According to SABC News, Sisulu wanted to remind South Africans about the role Cubans played in fighting apartheid.
“As the country celebrates 27 years of democracy, we are reminded of where we come from and who assisted our country to be liberated from the chains of apartheid," she said.
According to a report by The Citizen, Sisulu announced that 24 engineers were called from Cuba to help with infrastructure and R65 million has been budgeted to make better living conditions for South Africans.
Briefly News previously reported that Cuban engineers are to leave after the 'skills transfer', says Lindiwe Sisulu.
The Department of Water and Sanitation has stated that the 24 Cuban engineers who have been hired in SA will improve the government's work in water delivery and other related services. Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has defended the decision once again.
According to Water and Sanitation spokesperson Sputnik Ratua, the 'highly qualified' Cuban engineers will help as advisers at both local and provincial levels across South Africa by sharing their skills.
IOL reported that AfriForum asked for a comprehensive financial structure for the Cuban engineers to made public so that taxpayers will know how much these appointments will cost them.
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Source: Briefly News
