Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya in Lusaka, Zambia
ZIMBABWE and Zambia are set to jointly host the Kavalamanja commemorations between Friday and Saturday as part of their shared liberation struggle history, where freedom fighters from the two countries fought side by side.
The Kavalamanja 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 follows 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 and 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 on Saturday in the Kavalamanja area.
The area is located adjacent to the Kanyemba border at the confluence of the 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,” she 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 decide 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.”
Ambassador Charamba highlighted the excellent bilateral ties between the two countries, citing cooperation through the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation, which has been elevated to the Bi-National Commission that was commissioned in Harare by President Mnangagwa and his Zambian counterpart Hakainde Hichilema in November last year.
She added that the two governments are working together to strengthen ties and promote regional integration through bodies like the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (Comesa) and SADC trade protocols, among others.
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu