adminRumbidzayi Zinyuke recently in Chimoio, Mozambique
Cordial relations between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, which have yielded fruits in various sectors in the past, will help the countries jointly build bright futures economically and socially. Speaking at Mozambique’s 44th Independence celebrations in Chimoio on Tuesday, Zimbabwean and Mozambican government officials concurred that productive corporation between the two countries should continue to ensure the countries lean on each in fostering development.
Minister of State for Manicaland Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba said the future of the two countries was as intertwined as their pasts. She led a delegation of Government and Zanu-PF officials.
“I am here on behalf of President Mnangagwa. He asked me to congratulate you on 44 years of independence. It would be amiss for Mozambique to celebrate independence without Zimbabwe and vice versa because these two countries share a history. We fought for the freedom of our countries together. The war was won because we were united,” she said.
“Zimbabwe was part of Mozambique’s war against both the Portuguese and against the Renamo rebels. It was after Mozambique’s independence that Zimbabwe realised that we were our own liberators and we mobilised and went to fight the enemy, with your help. I ask you to respect these war veterans because they suffered to liberate this country.”
She said the integration between the two countries was not only political, but also economic and social.
She urged Mozambicans to continue supporting the ruling party, Frelimo, to ensure the continuation of economic development initiatives.
“I know that on 15 October, you will have your elections. I urge you to go and vote wisely. We fought the war and gained independence. We can beat imperialism through our vote and we can gain economic freedom through your vote. Frelimo will guarantee that economic development,” said Dr Gwaradzimba.
Dr Gwaradzimba also thanked the Mozambican government for the part it played in the burial of 158 Zimbabweans who were swept away when Rusitu River burst its banks during Cyclone Idai in March.
Manica Province Governor Mr Manuel Rodriguez Alberto expressed appreciation to the Zimbabwean delegation for participating in this year’s independence celebrations.
He said the relationship between Manicaland and Manica province should go beyond politics to include more economic trade, social and cultural exchange programmes.
“I want to say thank you to Manicaland province and the Minister who is here to join us, we are grateful that you are part of our celebrations. There is no difference between our countries, so we are celebrating our independence — both Mozambican independence and the Zimbabwean independence — because the war veterans of Zimbabwe fought in the Mozambican war and our war veterans also joined the struggle for independence in Zimbabwe.
“This shows that the two sister provinces are one and pursue the same objective of developing cooperation. The languages spoken here in Manica and in Manicaland are the same, we share the same culture. Even the challenges we are facing today are the same.”
He said the most recent challenge facing the two provinces was the effects of Cyclone Idai which ravaged parts of Manica and Manicaland.
“We are all working hard to uplift the lives of the people so that they can recover quickly. The other challenge is to accelerate the development of the two provinces. We are going to proceed with cooperation on the economic front and we will again deepen the cultural cooperation because we discovered that our cultures are the same,” he said.
Online Reporter