Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike in LUANDA, Angola
A HIGH-level inter-ministerial delegation is in Angola on a historic mission to assess and make consultations with Angolan authorities and local communities to facilitate the proper documentation of liberation war grave sites and the potential erection of monuments in honour of fallen liberation war fighters.
The initiative is part of the Second Republic’s bold thrust to preserve and honour the legacy of those involved in the liberation struggle beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.
The visit comes a few days after Zimbabwe commemorated the 45th Heroes and Defence Forces anniversary in honour of living and departed heroes and heroines together with the role that the ZDF continues to play in safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
In his remarks at the Boma Mass Burial Grave in Luena, Moxico province yesterday, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Mr Zvinechimwe Churu expressed gratitude to the government of Angola for facilitating the visit.
“Your Excellencies, allow me to extend our deepest gratitude to the government of the Republic of Angola and Moxico Province, in particular, for graciously accepting our request and facilitating this very important visit,” he said.
“We gather here at the sacred Mass Grave Burial Site in Boma Village acknowledging the pivotal role the Republic of Angola played in Zimbabwe’s fight for independence.
“The Boma Village former training camp, established by the Republic of Angola in July 1977, was a strategic site for our liberation fighters, providing advanced guerrilla warfare training.
“However, brutal bombardment by Rhodesian and Apartheid South African forces in February 1979 resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives, whose mortal remains lie in this mass grave.”
Over 350 people were buried in the mass grave in Boma village.
Mr Churu said the Zimbabwean delegation visited Angola in humility and gratitude, recognising the country’s immense contribution to Harare’s liberation.
He added that the Government’s aim is to immortalise the memory through the erection of a befitting shrine, symbolising the country’s appreciation for their sacrifices and Angola’s role in the struggle for freedom.
“To achieve this, the proposal is to work closely with the government of the Republic of Angola to preserve the mass grave and other burial sites, protect the history of our liberation struggle for future generations and strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two nations”.
Mr Churu expressed Zimbabwe’s profound gratitude to people of Angola and Moxico province in general and the Boma community, in particular, for the sacrifices they made during the liberation war.
“We deeply appreciate your support and upkeep of this significant liberation heritage site, which symbolises the strong bonds of solidarity and friendship between our nations.
“We look forward to continued collaboration and mutual understanding,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Angola, Dr Thando Madzvamuse, described the visit as a milestone in strengthening bilateral ties and a reaffirmation of Harare’s unwavering commitment to honouring its war veterans.
“In the context of the Heroes’ holiday, this visit supports plans for high-level engagements with countries such as Angola, which played a pivotal role in the liberation of Zimbabwe.”
“I am quite aware that those visits are also going to include an appreciation of the former training camps, where we also have got some mass burial sites and the like.
“I think we will be giving more of the related information as we go on,” he said.
The programme seeks to restore dignity and honour to the gallant sons and daughters of the soil, who died outside the country and whose stories remain largely undocumented.
Zimbabwe and Angola have relations that date back to the 1970s when both countries were embroiled in their struggles for independence.
Angola, which gained independence from Portugal in 1975, became a key logistical and training hub for liberation movements across Southern Africa.
ZIPRA freedom fighters were granted sanctuary and training facilities in Angola through the support of the MPLA government.
This solidarity formed the bedrock of a long-standing relationship rooted in a shared revolutionary heritage.
The two sisterly Republics have maintained strong bilateral relations across various sectors, including mining, energy, agriculture and defence cooperation.
Recent years have seen both countries reaffirming their commitment to deepening economic cooperation through joint commissions and trade agreements.
The Zimbabwean delegation’s visit will also involve site assessments and consultations with Angolan authorities and local communities to facilitate the proper documentation of grave sites and the potential erection of monuments or plaques in honour of fallen heroes and heroines.
Officials are also expected to gather oral testimonies from surviving cadres and local witnesses who were present during the liberation period, a move that will aid in compiling comprehensive records to be housed at the Museum of African Liberation being developed in Harare.
The delegation’s mission in Angola is part of a broader Southern African liberation heritage programme, which will see similar visits to Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania.
All these countries played crucial roles in Zimbabwe’s path to independence.
As Zimbabwe deepens its commitment to preserving liberation history, the Second Republic continues to demonstrate that honouring the past is a vital pillar in nation-building and fostering lasting regional unity.
