Zvamaida Murwira in LUANDA, Angola
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa will today join fellow Heads of State and Government here in celebrating Angola’s 50th independence anniversary.
His attendance will cement solid bilateral relations between Angola and Zimbabwe, rooted in the liberation struggle where Angola helped Zimbabwe execute its fight for independence.
Both Angola’s ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and Zanu PF remain two of the towering liberation movements in the Sadc region as they continue to implement policies that resonate with their citizenry.
In an interview, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Angola Dr Thando Madzvamuse confirmed the President’s visit.
“His Excellency, the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa, will be joining fellow Heads of States and Government for Angola’s 50th independence anniversary. As you will be aware, Angola gained its independence from Portugal in 1975 after a protracted liberation struggle.
“Unfortunately, it went for another three decades or so of civil war. So they have a very good reason for celebrating this independence, having endured all the difficulties which they went through. We are, therefore, delighted that His Excellency, the President, will be here, joining other leaders in celebrating this day,” said Amb Madzvamuse.
He said Zimbabwe and Angola enjoy excellent bilateral relations, which have continued to blossom over the years.
Political relations between the two countries started soon after Angola attained independence in 1975, which felt that its freedom was not enough when other African countries like Zimbabwe were still under the yoke of colonialism.
“Zimbabwe and Angola enjoy cordial relations. After its independence, Angola wasted no time in establishing bases for Zimbabwe,” said Amb Madzvamuse.
Vice President Cde Kembo Mohadi was in Angola two months ago visiting liberation shrines of fallen heroes, who died while executing the struggle for independence.
Angola was attacked and bombed by the colonial forces.
“We are told that more than 400 Zimbabwean fighters are buried here. So we are excited with the good bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Angola and His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, is coming at an opportune time,” said Amb Madzvamuse.
Angolan President Joao Lourenco has said that the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence will be “an occasion to exalt the historical journey of Angola, revisiting achievements and challenges”, according to local media here.
Delivering his State of the Nation address last Wednesday at the opening of the new parliamentary year, President Lourenco said on November 11, the Angolan people would celebrate 50 years of independence, 50 years as a free people and masters of their own destiny.
“The date would be a moment to honour the high and the less good moments of our history, the lessons we learnt and the conquests we achieved together,” he said.
Zimbabwe and Angola are both members of Sadc and the African Union, of which President Lourenco is the chairperson.
As members of Sadc and AU, both Zimbabwe and Angola are pushing to achieve Agenda 2063, which is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming the continent into a global powerhouse of the future.
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