Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya in LUSAKA, Zambia
ZAMBIA and Zimbabwe are set to jointly host the Kavalamanja commemorations today and tomorrow as part of their shared liberation struggle history where freedom fighters fought side by side.
The commemoration is an annual event held in Luangwa District, Zambia, honouring the victims of the March 6, 1978, Battle of Kavalamanja.
It pays tribute to Zambian soldiers and civilians killed by Rhodesian forces during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
The commemorations are expected to attract dignitaries from both countries, including Government officials and veterans of the liberation struggle.
The visit comes after Vice President Kembo Mohadi toured Zambia, Mozambique, Angola and Tanzania to appreciate the state of liberation war shrines so that corrective measures can be taken to memorialise the war.
In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Zambia, Charity Charamba, said the commemorations are a significant event that highlights the shared history and solidarity between the two countries.
“In terms of preparations, we are on course.
“This is a yearly event where Zambia and Zimbabwe come together to commemorate the lives of our fallen heroes of the liberation struggle who died in Luangwa district when the Ian Smith regime bombed the area, killing Zambian soldiers, civilians and Zimbabwean freedom fighters,” said Ambassador Charamba.
“Our relations date back to the days of our struggle for independence. Zambia played a crucial role in supporting Zimbabwe’s liberation, and we remain grateful for that solidarity.
“This time around we are having a high-powered delegation led by the Vice President Mohadi. Previously we hosted the Minister of Defence Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, among others. We are ready to receive the Vice President and his delegation.”
Ambassador Charamba said today, commemorations would be held in Kakaro to remember the civilians who were killed during the bombardment, while the main event will be held tomorrow in the Kavalamanja area.
The area is located adjacent to the Kanyemba border at the confluence of Zambezi and Luangwa rivers.
“We will be having the survivors of the battle who will show us the physical sites where the bombing and killing took place and the fact that we are having Vice President Mohadi attending is a major highlight,” Ambassador Charamba said.
“This is very significant in that we both jointly remember our fallen heroes and at the same time we remember the significant role that was played by Zambia during our liberation struggle and the fact that they also had collateral damage at the hands of the Ian Smith regime.
“It is important that both countries decided to commemorate jointly and you will note that we have various sites including Mkushi and Nampundwe, among others, where our liberation fighters died.
“We are grateful for the support and role played by Zambia led by the late nationalist Dr Kenneth Kaunda in our struggle for independence.”
Lest we forget, we still have those who perpetrated these atrocities among us. We appeal to them to extend apologies to us survivors. We have people like David Coltart, the Bulawayo Mayor and a whole lot of black people who fought on the Rhodesia army side. The policy of reconciliation was meant to appease both sides and we are still waiting for our former adversaries to come forward and apologise.