Zim ropes in Bots on African liberation museum project
ZIMBABWE has roped in Botswana in the construction of the Museums for African Liberation with a special delegation led by former Foreign Affairs minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi meeting President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Monday to apprise him about the project.
The construction of the Museum of African Liberation is being facilitated by the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK).
In a statement, INSTAK spokesperson Joseph Nkani said the visit to Botswana was meant to open up more partnership avenues and entice Masisi’s government to exhibit its African liberation paraphernalia at the museum.
“The visit was targeted at informing President Masisi about the Museum of African Liberation and possibly opening up avenues for partnership for the project. It was highlighted that Botswana played an important role in the liberation of southern Africa through tactically aiding various liberation leaders and fighters, but had not received credit for being a silent yet tactful front-line country,” Nkani said.
Mumbengegwi was accompanied by INSTAK chief executive Kwame Muzawazi and Zimbabwe embassy officials Witness Ngwenya, Francis Chimina and INSTAK legal officer Cynthia Mhangwa.
“Mumbengegwi noted that Botswana assisted liberation fighters with food and shelter, and also made a pretence at arresting fighters . . . but would later release them quietly. He highlighted that President Emmerson Mnangagwa felt that the African liberation story would be incomplete without including a section to afford Botswana the chance to tell its story,” Nkani added.
“Masisi thanked President Mnangagwa for the invitation to be part of the project, and accepted the invitation wholeheartedly. The visit was overall a success and strategically timed as Botswana has recently been pushing for its recognition in Africa’s liberation story and there was great enthusiasm for the project from Masisi.”