admin
Nduduzo Tshuma in Lusaka, Zambia
THE Zimbabwean embassy in Zambia is working in consultation with two conservation organisations from the two countries on strategies to upgrade Freedom Camp. Freedom Camp, a Zipra facility, was bombed by the Rhodesian army in 1978 at the height of the liberation war. Addressing members of the visiting Maqhawe’sizwe Entourage Trust, representatives of seven countries and residents of that country during Heroes Day celebrations at Freedom Camp, Zimbabwean ambassador to Zambia, Gertrude Takawira, said by next year the camp should have a face lift.
Takawira said as the commemorations were being held at Freedom Camp, she was mindful of bombings at Nampundwe, Mkushi, Mulungushi, Kavalamanja and Kananga as well as assassinations of freedom fighters.
She paid tribute to the government of Zambia, through the National Heritage Conservation Commission, which in collaboration with its sister department, the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, put together different elements of the liberation heritage programne which saw the construction of monuments like Freedom Camp and others around Zambia where fighters fell fighting colonialism.
“I’m aware that this is work in progress by the two sister organisations through the necessary legal and administrative frameworks in order that the joint effort and commitment between the people of our two countries in our region, will forever be told,” said Takawira.
“The embassy of Zimbabwe in Zambia, in consultation with the two sister organisations, is now seized with the need to come up with strategies and plans on the upgrading of this shrine to include a war museum, ablution facilities and paving. It is our hope that this time next year, Freedom Camp will have received a facelift.”
Takawira said President Robert Mugabe, since independence, taught the nation to remember fallen heroes.
She said the Zimbabwean government made it a priority to build shrines around the country and neighbouring ones like Freedom Camp as well as repatriating remains of luminaries like Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo, Herbert Chitepo and Josiah Tongogara.
“As time goes by, wartime generations are passing and new generations are emerging. Their story, our story must be told. Over the past four weeks, the embassy has hosted almost 500 youths from Zimbabwe, visiting the Freedom Camp to learn and connect with the story of our liberation struggle,” said Takawira.
“I must, therefore, pay tribute to Maqhawe’sizwe for keeping this fire of remembrance burning through your annual pilgrimages, which, I’m grateful to see, have continued to involve different generations particularly the younger ones.”
Takawira said the sons and daughters of the land lying in Zambia and elsewhere delivered political independence to Zimbabwe but the battle was now socio-economic development.
“Battles against poverty, child marriages, HIV/Aids, infrastructure underdevelopment and corruption etc, must be fought and won. True victory will only come through collective efforts,” said Takawira.
She also paid tribute to the various country representatives and members of the community who attended the commemorations.
South Africa High Commissioner to Zambia, Sikose Mji, her Botswana colleague Lebonaamang Thanda Mokalake, Sophy Kombe from Kenya, Balboa Malheizos Dias Dasilva from Angola, Tanzanian representative Justa Nyange, first secretary in the Namibian embassy to Zambia and the Zimbabwean community association in Zambia attended the commemorations.
Zambia’s National Heritage Conservation east central region director Kagosi Mwamulowe was also in attendance.
“Your being here with us, is a true embodiment of the solidarity spirit espoused by our founding fathers such as Nkwame Nkrumah in Ghana, Julius Nyerere in Tanzania, Seretse Khama in Botswana and of course Dr Kenneth Kaunda,” said Takawira.
“I’m aware that for many among us today like South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Angola, places such as Freedom Camp and others around Zambia bring back memories and experiences of years gone by, as well as a sense of fulfilment as we recall the role this country played in providing us with a sanctuary from which we executed our struggles.”
Maqhawe’sizwe chairperson Onesmus Bhebhe said the war veterans had visited the shrine in remembrance of the fallen fighters bombed by the Smith regime.
He said the organisation was ready to share information on the liberation struggle with students and researchers.
Online Reporter