Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo in MAPUTO, Mozambique
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa will tomorrow join other Heads of State and Government in Maputo, Mozambique, for that country’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations.
The Golden Jubilee celebrations will be held at Machava Stadium, the same place where Mozambique’s founding President Samora Machel proclaimed the country’s independence from Portugal in 1975.
At least 40 000 people are expected to attend the commemorations.
In an interview here yesterday, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique Cde Victor Matemadanda said the milestone event was not only Mozambique’s achievement, but an example of the Sadc region’s resilience and sovereignty.
“Considering the history that we have, that is between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, which as you know dates back to the liberation struggle, 50 years becomes a milestone, not only for Mozambique, but Zimbabwe also and the wider Sadc region especially.
“What Zimbabwe is today can never be explained without mentioning Mozambique. Therefore, you know, we have also helped Mozambique during difficult times, and the coming of Zimbabwe at the highest level is an assurance to the people of Mozambique that we are still together. Zimbabwe is participating, obviously, as an all weather friend.”
Ambassador Matemadanda said Harare and Maputo traditionally enjoy cordial relations dating back to the former’s liberation struggle, hence President Mnangagwa’s attendance.
Mozambique looked after Zimbabwe’s freedom fighters and provided them with invaluable support as they fought the brutal racist colonial regime led by Ian Smith.
“You may also want to know that we have (had) security disturbances in Mozambique, and the continued presence of Zimbabwe becomes a security assurance, considering that we have been in this situation before and we helped them.
“They have also helped us in many areas, even economic areas and so forth. So, that is the friendship which I think is going to be further strengthened by the coming of the President to attend the 50th anniversary of Mozambique’s independence,” Ambassador Matemadanda said.
Mozambique, he said, had remained resolute and defied the odds.
“You know, there was this thinking, you remember that Ian Smith was saying, for a thousand years blacks would never be able to rule themselves.
“And it was worse with the Portuguese, because the Portuguese were more ruthless, more brutal and they never expected that the black people of Mozambique would be able to lead themselves this far,” Ambassador Matemadanda said.
He said democracy was alive in Mozambique, something that was uplifting to note. “What we have seen is that governance in Mozambique has been very good, from Samora Machel, who died in an unfortunate situation, to other leaders including (Joachim) Chissano, Armando Guebuza, Filipe Nyusi and today we have President Daniel Chapo.
“This is a democratic process that is being demonstrated in what people consider, especially the imperialists, to be a backward country and also a country where they did not expect democracy to thrive . . . but we have seen that there is even a lot for them to learn from Mozambique,” Ambassador Matemadanda said.
