Guard liberations history jealously Sadc youths told

Nyore Madzianike in LUENA, Angola

Youths within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have been urged to jealously guard and preserve the history of the liberation struggle and never take it for granted.

In his remarks to the community after visiting the Boma Mass Grave in Moxico Province, Angola and laying a wreath in honour of fallen liberation war fighters, Vice President Kembo Mohadi said it was now incumbent for the youths in the SADC region to preserve the history.

He indicated that his visit to the Boma Mass Grave site where more than 300 freedom fighters were buried after the February 26, 1979 bombings invoked memories of what the guerrilla fighters went through during the struggle.

“It invokes a lot of memories of what we went through and the young people of this region don’t know that, they take things for granted,” he said.

VP Mohadi directing INSTAK CEO to take an artifact to the Museum of African Liberation, being a remnant part of bombs dropped from the air by Rhodesian Army that massacred more than 400 freedom fighters in 1979 at ZIPRA Boma Camp, Moxico Province, Angola

“There was blood shed for the freedom that they enjoy today because we got our independence through blood, through the loss of life.

“It is now incumbent upon you that you that you preserve this independence which was won through the precious blood of our people.

“So, guard it jealously and never, never in one single day think of handing it back to the hands of the enemy again.”

Vice President Mohadi thanked the youths in Boma for safeguarding and keeping the mass gravesite clean over the past years.

“Let me thank heartedly the youth of this place and youths from the surrounding area for the good that they have done for making a point that that grave site or that shrine remains clean.

“Thank you very much we really, really thank you,” he said.

The Vice President said the Angolans gesture signifies the solidarity that he SADC region require.

“This is the solidarity that we want to see happen in SADC region,” he said.

Vice President Mohadi indicated that he Government of Zimbabwe will construct a befitting shrine and monuments at the mass grave site, with construction work expected to commence.

He thanked the Angolan Government and the Governor of Moxico Province Dr Enersto Muangala, in particular, for hosting him and his delegation during his visit to that country.