Online Reporter
Nduduzo Tshuma in PRETORIA,South Africa
ZIMBABWE is ready to facilitate the second phase of exhumation and repatriation of South African liberation fighters who died in exile in Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa has said.
He also called for closer collaboration between the two countries in preserving and curating their shared history of the struggle against colonialism and apartheid.
The call comes amid heightened cooperation between Zimbabwe and South Africa in the heritage sector, with President Mnangagwa in April receiving the Zimbabwe Bird, a plinth, ancestral human remains and wartime digital photographs repatriated from South Africa.
South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Mr Gayton McKenzie officially handed over the artefacts to President Mnangagwa at State House in Harare following a directive by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In September 2024, Zimbabwe handed over to South Africa the remains of 16 South African liberation stalwarts who died in Zimbabwe during the struggle against the apartheid regime.
Speaking during the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) here on Friday, President Mnangagwa said the two countries enjoyed excellent relations founded on shared history, solidarity, geography and enduring people-to-people ties.
“I am most grateful to you, Your Excellency President Ramaphosa, for the timely intervention in the repatriation of the Zimbabwe Bird, the plinth and eight ancestral human remains, along with wartime digital photographs. Your personal leadership and devotion in handling this delicate and sacred exercise demonstrates Pan-African solidarity and shared commitment to the restitution and rectification of past injustices,” said President Mnangagwa.
“In September 2024, Zimbabwe handed over to South Africa 16 remains of South Africa’s fallen liberation stalwarts who passed on in Zimbabwe during your country’s fight against the brutal apartheid regime. My Government is ready to facilitate Phase II of the exhumation and repatriation programme of formerly exiled South Africans who died in Zimbabwe.”
President Mnangagwa also reiterated his invitation for South Africa to participate in the development of the Museum of African Liberation, which is being spearheaded by the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK).
“In our view, South Africa’s heroic anti-apartheid struggle for the dignity of our people deserves to be appropriately curated and immortalised at the museum, alongside others of the continent,” he said.
“Zimbabwe looks forward to South Africa taking steps to develop land allocated to it at the Museum of African Liberation. The museum provides a unique platform to showcase the country’s heroic anti-apartheid struggle and its significant contribution to the liberation of African countries.”
This, the President said, will go a long way in preserving this legacy, as well as inspiring present and future generations.
President Mnangagwa said the successful Fourth Session of the BNC had been conducted in a spirit of friendship and camaraderie, reflecting the excellent bilateral cooperation between Zimbabwe and South Africa, underpinned by mutual respect, solidarity, shared values and a common history of struggle against colonialism and apartheid.
“This legacy has nurtured enduring bonds between our two countries and should continue to guide the collective response to contemporary and future challenges, while inspiring us to seize new opportunities for shared prosperity,” said the President.
The two countries signed six agreements to deepen cooperation across key sectors, reaffirming their commitment to translating the two countries’ historic bonds into practical development outcomes and a stronger bilateral partnership. The agreements cover diplomacy, correctional services, agriculture, arts and heritage, women’s empowerment and gender equality, while also strengthening the institutional framework governing the BNC.
The agreements broaden the scope of bilateral cooperation beyond political and diplomatic engagement, creating frameworks for collaboration in areas with direct implications for economic development, institutional capacity, social empowerment and people-to-people relations.
Zimbabwe’s economic resurgence and growing appeal as a safe investment destination, driven by policy reforms under President Mnangagwa, also took centre stage at the Zimbabwe-South Africa Business Forum, with calls for the two countries to strengthen their economic partnership by pursuing joint investment, research, innovation and high-impact projects. The forum, held on the sidelines of the BNC, brought together 250 business leaders from the two countries, with the discussions focusing on moving beyond traditional trade towards investment, industrialisation, innovation and value addition.
President Ramaphosa acknowledged Zimbabwe’s sacrifices in providing support to South Africa during its struggle for liberation.
“Today, solidarity means jobs, investment and a trading relationship that benefits both our peoples.”
