daniel chigunwe
Blessings Chidakwa-Municipal Reporter
The Swiss government yesterday raised its flag at the Museum of African Liberation, donated an assortment of information, communication and technology equipment, as part of its commitment to see the correct reconstruction of African history from a diversified perspective.
Ambassador of Switzerland to Zimbabwe, Mr Niculin Jäger, who was accompanied by the Institute of African Knowledge Museum (INSTAK) chief executive, Ambassador Kwame Muzawazi, also planted a solidarity tree. Ambassador Jäger thanked President Mnangagwa and Instak for inviting Switzerland to join the initiative of the Museum of African Liberation.
“It is a pleasure to be here today for tree planting and raising of our flag. As you know, Switzerland has no colonial past and we very much appreciate this possibility that is given by the President to the people of Zimbabwe and to the whole of Africa to tell their own story,” he said.
Ambassador Jäger said African people had been given an opportunity to tell the story of the struggle, the story of the fight against apartheid and against colonialism.
He said the museum would be a hotspot for future generations to come together, to learn about the history and to shape their own future.
Ambassador Jäger said his country believed that many documents were still lying idle on the African continent which should be digitally archived.
“That is why my embassy made available the technology to access these documents to digitalise them.
“The museum as far as I understand will also serve as a meeting point for storage, research not only from Africa but all over the world and giving access to information to tell the story from different viewpoints will be very crucial,” he said.
Ambassador Muzawazi thanked the Swiss government for positively responding to the call made by President Mnangagwa when he invited all progressive countries to support the Museum of African liberation.
“It is a historic moment as Switzerland becomes the first European country to do so, which attests to the fact that the Museum of African Liberation is about the history of humanity. It is a heritage, intellectual in itself which is why Switzerland has come on board,” he said.
“It (Switzeland) has a history of promoting the liberation of Zimbabwe and the people of Africa so we want to thank the Swiss government for coming to hoist their flag, to plant a tree which symbolises the unending permanent friendship with Zimbabwe.”
Ambassador Muzawazi also thanked the Swiss government for being practical by handing over ICT equipment which he said was very critical in the implementation of the project.
“We really want to thank the Swiss people and its government for this great gesture and it is indeed a great victory in terms of cultural diplomacy.
“Now we have got another avenue of communication; of engagement with other countries that may not be African ones,” he said.
Online Reporter