Online Reporter
Nduduzo Tshuma in JOHANNESBURG South Africa
FORMER Liberation Movements from across Southern Africa are set to convene here today for a three-day summit aimed at charting a collective response to modern political and socio-economic challenges.
As shifting demographics and evolving political dynamics reshape the region, the summit offers a timely platform for strategic introspection, coordination and renewal.
With a strong emphasis on liberation-centred approaches, the gathering will assess progress, consolidate shared ideals and reinforce the role of the movements in safeguarding regional stability and shaping Africa’s governance trajectory.
The former Liberation Movements include the African National Congress of South Africa (led by President Cyril Ramaphosa) who are the host and chair, Zanu PF of Zimbabwe (led by President Mnangagwa), SWAPO of Namibia (led by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah), MPLA of Angola (led by President João Lourenço), Frelimo of Mozambique (led by President Daniel Chapo) and Chama Cha Mapinduzi of Tanzania led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Held under the theme, “Defending the Liberation Gains, Advancing Integrated Socio-Economic Development, Strengthening Solidarity for a Better Africa”, the presence of the leaders of the respective movements will add weight to the summit, a departure from previous events where secretary-generals represented the organisations.
Secretary-generals of the respective movements, representatives of respective party leagues, sister parties from the region and beyond as well as key institutions like The Museum of African Liberation will also take part in the summit.
In an interview in Harare, Zanu PF Secretary-General Dr Obert Mpofu underscored the enduring relevance of liberation values.
“Liberation is a continuous process, it is never finalised so it is essential to guide so that we continue to identify areas that need liberating within our people and also to share notes, challenges, successes and methods we are using to achieve the common goals we share as liberation movements,” he said.
Dr Mpofu said the event was especially important in imparting the liberation ethos to the younger generation who are future leaders. “Liberation ethos focus on sacrifice and selflessness, to serve the greater good and this is the guidance of liberation movements. For the younger generation, this is to show them that the way forward for Africa is not through trinkets but patriotism and sacrificing for the greater good and not to sacrifice the greater good for personal gain,” he said.
As society evolves, Dr Mpofu said, efforts are being made to ensure that technology upholds and reflects the culture of patriotism rather than undermining it.
“It must be used to reflect patriotism and patriotic fervour,” said Dr Mpofu.
Giving an update to South African national broadcaster, SABC ahead of the Summit on Tuesday evening, ANC first deputy Secretary-General Cde Nomvula Mokonyane said the event was postponed twice to ensure the attendance of the leaders of the movements.
“The last time it took place was in 2002, not with all the Presidents but the secretary-generals. This one is exceptional, all the Presidents are coming, the one who won’t be coming will be sending her own representative but with a recorded message, that is the President of Tanzania, but all the other Presidents are coming,” said Cde Mokonyane.
She said teams from different political parties are already working on the ground and reports will be tabled at the summit. “Over the weekend, the exercise will be about receiving reports, there are teams that are now working from the different parties. There have been discussions that have been taking place, we have had various bi-lateral meetings and I’m quite certain, these issues will be attended to.”
At the end of the summit, ANC will hand over the position of chair to another liberation movement, while a plan of action will be adopted with each organisation assigned a task to carry out.
The chief executive of the Museum of African Liberation, Ambassador Kwame Muzawazi, said the summit is not just a ceremonial gathering but a strategic platform for continental introspection, inter-generational dialogue and policy alignment rooted in historical consciousness.
“These summits should allow liberation movements, veterans of liberation struggles, scholars and youth from across Africa to fan the cross-pollination of experiences and aspirations. You cannot inspire the youth with a future they feel disconnected from,” said Amb Muzawazi. “By grounding today’s development agenda in the legacy of the liberation era, the summit reminds young Africans that they are heirs to a proud tradition of resistance, resilience and transformation. It also fosters cross-border relationships rooted in shared liberation narratives and this is critical for regional integration, which in itself is a vital cog in sustainable, shared and equitable development.”
Amb Muzawazi added that such gatherings reaffirm that African unity and cooperation are not theoretical ideals but imperatives born from the continent’s shared history. He said the continent’s liberation history is not just about the past but is a reservoir of identity, dignity and ideological clarity.
“As such, that history defines our present and helps us chart and forge the future. In a world that is increasingly multipolar and marked by fierce contestations over economic resources, often on the basis of historical narratives as shaped by political personalities and messages propagated via digital platforms, Africa cannot afford to forget the foundations of its sovereignty.
“Remaining in touch with our liberation memory gives us the moral compass to navigate global complexities. It reminds us that Africa’s place in the world was not given. It was earned through sacrifice, unity and visionary leadership.
“Liberation memory connects us to the values of self-determination and Pan-African solidarity, which are still as relevant today as they were during the height of the liberation struggles. At a time when neo-colonial pressures take more subtle forms, from unfair trade structures to disinformation campaigns, this memory is our shield and our guide.”
Ambassador Muzawazi hailed the Government for its visionary role in the establishment and advancement of the Museum of African Liberation and thus the memorialisation of key foundational aspects of the country.
“From the outset, President Mnangagwa and his Government have committed to hosting the Pan-African institution — not merely as a national project, but as a continental legacy. Under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, the Government availed 101 hectares of land for Liberation City, in which the museum is located.
“The Government continues to provide critical institutional, diplomatic and logistical support,” he said. “This commitment has gone beyond symbolic gestures. Through partnerships with the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK), the Government has ensured that archival materials, oral testimonies and physical artefacts are being collected, preserved and curated for posterity.
“Zimbabwe’s liberation war veterans have been a key pillar of this effort and their stories are being documented in ways that future generations can learn from, both within Zimbabwe and across Africa.
“In essence, Zimbabwe is not just preserving its own liberation legacy but providing a dignified, intellectual and physical home for the liberation histories of the entire African continent. This leadership is what has made the Museum of African Liberation a true continental project and a shining example of Zimbabwe’s commitment to Pan-African memory, identity and heritage.”
The Museum of African Liberation, Amb Muzawazi said, stands as one of the continent’s most important strategic cultural and educational institutions. “Its significance lies not only in the artifacts and archives it houses, but in the stories it tells, stories of courage, resistance and triumph, from all corners of Africa. The Museum acts as a physical and intellectual bridge across generations, ensuring that the sacrifices of the past are not only remembered, but also internalised, preserved and promoted for posterity.
“Our mission is global, encompassing the struggles and victories of Africans everywhere and those who stood by them through their darkest experiences. That’s why we collaborate with liberation movements and governments from Angola to Algeria, from Namibia to Mozambique, and from Cuba to Russia.
“The museum curates not just objects, but narratives and those narratives help shape national pride, deepen inter-African solidarity and provide factual historical literacy in an era flooded with misinformation.”
Amb Muzawazi said they are also investing heavily in digital platforms and educational outreach to ensure this history reaches every African, especially the youth. “Because if we don’t tell our story, someone else will and history has shown us they rarely tell it truthfully,” he said.
