Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
Zimpapers Politics Hub
ON March 23, Zimbabwe joined SADC in commemorating the Southern Africa Liberation Day. This day, set aside by the SADC region, pays tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives to bring the freedom enjoyed today across the region’s member states.
SADC first commemorated the region’s Liberation Day on March 23, 2019, in Cuito Cuanavale, Angola. This date was chosen to honour the decisive battle that concluded there on March 23, 1988, marking a pivotal moment in the region’s liberation history.
The decision to establish this annual observance was first endorsed by the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in August 2018.
The Cuito Cuanavale Battle is described as one of the fiercest conventional combats in African history after the Second World War. It took place in the small town of Cuito Cuanavale in the Cuando Cubango Province, southern Angola when the People’s Liberation Armed Forces (FAPLA), who were ably supported by the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) and the Cuban Revolutionary Forces, went into battle and duly defeated the marauding forces of the apartheid regime of South Africa between November 1987 and March 1988.
That battle was critical in many ways.
It helped Namibia attain its independence on March 21, 1990. The battle also paved the way for the release, from prison, on February 11, 1990, of Nelson Mandela, who had been incarcerated for 27 years.
It is the unity that was exhibited in that and several other battles in the region that has largely fortified SADC’s resolve to repel brazen attempts by Western countries to subdue liberation movements.
Independence, for many countries in the region, like Zimbabwe’s, which will be celebrated on April 18, did not come as a mere token to appease the Western conscience.
It was a hard-won victory forged through immense sacrifice and unwavering determination.
Just as Zimbabwe’s freedom was the product of a fierce and sustained fight, so too was the independence of its neighbours, solidifying a shared history of struggle that the Southern Africa Liberation Day so powerfully embodies.
In his address to mark the commemoration of the Southern Africa Liberation Day, President Mnangagwa, who is also the Chairperson of the SADC rallied the people of the region to unite and take decisive action against emerging threats that could undermine the bloc’s hard-won independence and stability.
President Mnangagwa called on the region to intensify efforts to promote peace and dialogue, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where escalating tensions pose a significant threat to regional stability.
“As we commemorate this annual event, we deeply reflect on where we stand in the context of our historical struggles whose aim was to give full ownership of the means of production in our economies and, consequently, to be masters of our own destiny as well as to restore our dignity,” said President Mnangagwa.
“I urge us all, as independent peoples of SADC, to remain vigilant and be alert to the emerging challenges that threaten our hard-won independence and the general stability in our region.
“We must continue to stand in solidarity against the imposition of illegal sanctions, use of coercive measures and or any other actions that undermine our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
President Mnangagwa warned that continued instability in eastern DRC contradicts the vision of SADC’s founding fathers and threatens the objectives outlined in the bloc’s founding statutes.
“SADC remains a relatively calm and peaceful region,” he said.
“For this, we are proud. However, I reiterate our call for lasting peace in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The situation in eastern DRC undermines the aspirations bequeathed to us by our founding fathers and outlined in the SADC Constitutive Act and Vision 2050.
“The time to silence the guns, de-escalate tensions and hostilities as well as to engage in dialogue to secure mediated outcomes for long-lasting peace in DRC is now.”
The President also reaffirmed the bloc’s unwavering support for the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, which remains under Moroccan control, saying Africa cannot claim attain full liberation until Western Sahara is free and independent.
This solidarity with the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic powerfully resonates with the very essence of the Southern Africa Liberation Day.
It also aligns perfectly with the core aim of Southern Africa Liberation Day: “to not only remember past sacrifices but also to inspire ongoing efforts towards achieving true and comprehensive liberation across the entire African continent.”
The liberation struggles were fought not only for political independence but also for peace, stability, and the well-being of the people in the region.
As such, ongoing conflict, such as the situation in the DRC, undermines the progress and development that SADC aims to achieve, betraying the sacrifices made by those honoured on Southern Africa Liberation Day.
Upholding the legacy of the liberation struggle necessitates addressing instability within member states, ensuring that the freedoms won are enjoyed in an environment of peace and security, and enabling the region to pursue the objectives outlined in SADC’s founding statutes.
As Zimbabwe prepares to celebrate its 45th Independence anniversary on April 18, it’s crucial to remember that the nation’s journey to independence was deeply intertwined with the broader liberation struggles across the SADC region.
Zimbabwe’s path to independence was a key part of the fight against colonialism and white minority rule in Southern Africa.
This struggle wasn’t isolated; it was connected to similar movements in neighbouring countries like Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa. Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle was a significant part of this broader regional movement.
Therefore, while celebrated on different dates, March 23 and April 18 share the underlying theme of honouring the fight for freedom and self-determination in the region.
Additionally, Zimbabwe’s observance of its Independence Day mirrors the spirit and intent behind the commemoration of Southern Africa Liberation Day.
Both occasions serve as solemn reminders of the arduous struggles and immense sacrifices made by individuals for the liberation of the region from colonial rule and oppression.
Just as Southern Africa Liberation Day honours the collective heroism across Southern Africa, Zimbabwe’s Independence Day specifically pays tribute to the brave men and women who fought for the nation’s self-determination.
On both days, Zimbabweans reflect on their history, celebrate their hard-won freedoms, and underscore the importance of national unity and regional solidarity in safeguarding their sovereignty and fostering continued progress.
These commemorations are not merely historical reflections but also serve as powerful reminders of the values of freedom, justice, and self-reliance that underpin both Zimbabwe’s national identity and the SADC’s regional cooperation.
Peter Tanyanyiwa