Story by Oleen Ndori
HARARE – PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has rallied Africa to unite in pursuing an agenda that will modernise and industrialise the continent while shrugging off neo-colonialism.
In his message to mark Africa Day, SADC Chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa underscored the importance of remaining vigilant in the face of neo-colonialism, saying as the children of Africa, hand in hand, side by side, in peace, love, and harmony, building the Africa we want is achievable.
“We stand ready to play our part within SADC and other regional economic communities for the integration, industrialisation, and shared development of our economies, as envisaged by the African Continental Free Trade Area. The African diaspora is an inseparable part of the mother continent of Africa. Hence, we welcome their contribution, both in terms of financial and human capital, for the advancement of the continent’s development agenda,” he said.
“Fellow Africans and my fellow Zimbabweans, let me underscore that Africa must remain vigilant and always aware of the ever-looming threats from neo-colonialists bent on negating the socioeconomic and political potential, as well as the achievements of our countries. Never again should our countries and continent be under foreign subjugation by whatever guise. It is therefore our duty to constantly rekindle the flames of independence, freedom, and sovereignty bequeathed to us by our forefathers.
“The unity, peace, and stability, development, and prosperity of our great continent must be the common objectives and goals for all of us. The responsibility to build, to develop, and to modernise and industrialise Africa, as well as to protect our peoples from instability and conflict, lies with all the children of Africa, including those in the diaspora.
He reiterated Zimbabwe’s commitment to the values and ethos of Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance.
He added that with unity as the greatest strength; finding lasting solutions to challenges being faced by Africa and building towards Agenda 2063; Zimbabwe joins Africa in calling for a more representative and global political and financial architecture.
“As we celebrate this year’s Africa Day commemorations, we stand united in our shared commitment to justice, equality, and the dignity of all people of Africa and African descent. This year’s African Union theme ‘Justice for Africans and the people of African descent through reparations’ is timely as a clarion call to right the wrongs of the past,” President Mnangagwa noted.
“Like the rest of Africa, Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage, which is deeply rooted in history, continues to be a target of desecration. Colonial powers systematically looted cultural artefacts and human remains, often under the guise of scientific exploration, or to enrich their museums and private collections.”
“Our precious relics and heritage must be repatriated to us, their rightful owners. We join the continent as we reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based international relations order and a stronger political representation of Africa at the national forum. Elevating Africa’s voice is of urgent and strategic necessity for consolidating the equality of nations as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, as well as fostering inclusive global governance, peace, security, and prosperity.
“Zimbabwe joins Africa in calling for a more representative and global political and financial architecture. Africa’s voice with regards to our unique challenges, including conflicts, the debt albatross, climate change, and economic disparities, among others, must be heard in the discourse that shapes global peace and security towards sustainable social and economic development. The imperative for reforms of international financial institutions to ensure fair terms for Africa is of urgent importance to us. Our nations can no longer be bound by exclusionary relics of colonialism that perpetuate inequality.”
The head of state further rallied nations to continue upholding the vales that brought the independence being enjoyed by African countries.
“Unity is our greatest strength. The frantic calls made those decades with regards to the importance of solidarity among African nations and accord, African to African problems, and the importance of Africa’s natural resources to benefit their peoples must echo louder in our present time. The freedom we enjoy today across our motherland and mother continent of Africa was not handed over on a silver platter,” he said.
“It was the result of unparalleled sacrifice of the gallant sons and daughters of the soil, men of whom paid with their lives. Zimbabwe is grateful and will forever cherish the enduring fruits of Africa’s fraternal support and solidarity we received through the Liberation Committee. This helped to usher our hard-won independence, and that contribution was not in vain.
“Today, as the present generation; must do our part to bring to fruition the realisation of the African Union Agenda 2063. Fellow Zimbabweans and fellow Africans; the transformation of the Organisation of African Unity to the African was a testament to our collective determination to boldly face the future as a free and independent people, equipped to play our part in the committee of nations as equal partners.”
2025 marks 62 years since the forefathers in the mould of Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Modibo Keita of Mali, Ben Bella of Algeria, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya and Hastings Kamuzi Banda of Malawi came together in forging the then Organisation of African Unity, now African Union.
For the past 62 years, the continental body has fought for Africa’s place on the global arena, with the launch of the 50 year vision for the “Africa we want” Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area being testimony to the continent’s drive towards economic emancipation.
