‘Let’s continue our good relations’

ZIMBABWE on Monday joined neighbouring Mozambique in celebrating its Independence in a gesture expected to consolidate existing cooperation between the two countries.

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Monica Mutsvangwa, who was represented by provincial administrator Mr Edgar Seenza at the celebrations held in Chimoio on Monday, said Mozambique had played a major role in Zimbabwe’s independence hence the need to continue working together.

She said the two countries should continue to collaborate in different ventures that would enhance development.

“We are delighted to be part of the celebrations that mark 43 years of Mozambique’s independence. It is an indication of the cordial relations between the two countries that are very important,” she said.

“We appreciate the relationship that keeps growing especially on this day. We want to remember that Mozambique played a major role in the liberation war of Zimbabwe. We value the cooperation and we hope that the peace, unity and development we are witnessing between the two countries will continue.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said governments of the two countries were keen to promote socio economic and political cooperation that existed, particularly between the two provinces of Manica and Manicaland.

“We have already started to work towards achieving greater cooperation and we will review the progress that we have made so that we cement that cooperation,” she said.

Manica Province governor, Mr Albert Ricardo Mondlane said the celebration of independence was symbolic of the steps that Mozambique had taken to attain freedom.

He said his government was keen on fostering development to ensure that future generations would continue to enjoy the fruits of their forefathers’ hard work.

“It is our independence. It means that we are in our country where we can do what we want. In this case we want to develop the country so that our people can live better than before. And our children need a secure future so that they can appreciate that they were born in a free country called Mozambique,” he said.

The Zimbabwean delegation, which travelled to Chimoio for the celebrations also joined in the laying of wreaths on the shrine of fallen heroes at the Praca dos Herois.

Mozambique became independent on June 25, 1975, after a civil resistance movement that ended 470 years of Portuguese colonial rule.