Vice-President Kembo Mohadi has described his recent visit to Zambia, undertaken to assess the condition of liberation war shrines, as a major success, highlighting the insights gained into improvements needed to preserve these historically significant sites. Speaking at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on Wednesday evening, as he concluded the tour, VP Kembo Mohadi expressed satisfaction with the outcome and praised the warm hospitality extended by Zambian authorities throughout the visit.
“What I can only say is that it was a very successful trip; we have been together, you must have realised that,” Vice-President Kembo Mohadi said. “And the hospitality that we received was just wonderful in terms of transport. I say thank you very much for that. The sites, yes, they need a little bit of sprucing up. I think there should be more co-ordination between the National Heritage in Zambia and our National Museums and Monuments. They need to make more visits, they need to meet quite often, so that those shrines are kept up to date.”
During his tour, VP Kembo Mohadi recommended a series of practical improvements to the shrines, including the construction of trafficable roads, the installation of ablution facilities, and the provision of solar-powered boreholes to benefit visitors. The visit provided a comprehensive overview of each site, enabling both Zimbabwean and Zambian authorities to identify gaps and chart strategies for enhanced preservation.
Director of the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, Mr Lovemore Mandima, described the visit as an eye-opener and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration. “Generally, I think the sites are in a fairly good state although I believe we can still do much better if we get the necessary resources. As you might be aware, we have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Heritage Commission of Zambia, and part of the deliverables within this MoU is for us to collectively identify, document, present, and preserve the liberation heritage of Zimbabwe, which is within Zambia,” said Mr Mandima.
He added that the visit helped highlight areas requiring attention and reiterated the need for adequate resourcing. “What is key to that objective is to make sure that we are both adequately resourced to do so. I want to believe that this visit has also identified areas which need to be dealt with—the gaps—and we hope that with the necessary support from our principals, we shall be able to collectively, as institutions responsible for managing this heritage, improve on it,” he noted.
VP Kembo Mohadi Hails Zambia Liberation War Shrine Tour as a Resounding Success
Zambia’s National Heritage Conservation Commission acting executive director, Mr Kagosi Mwamulowe, stressed the significance of preserving these sites to ensure that present and future generations understand and remember the sacrifices made during the fight for independence. “When we went to sites like Nampundwe, His Honour the Vice President was concerned about the state of the site and he demanded that both Zimbabwe and Zambia—through the National Monuments and Museums of Zimbabwe and the National Heritage Conservation Commission—should implement their MoU so as to keep the site pleasant,” Mr Mwamulowe said.
The tour commenced with visits to Chilenje House, the former residence of Zambia’s founding President Dr Kenneth Kaunda, and the home of the late former Zanu Chairman Herbert Wiltshire Chitepo in Chilenje. VP Kembo Mohadi then proceeded to Nampundwe and Freedom Camp, marking the beginning of a thorough inspection of liberation war landmarks.
On the second day, the delegation held a courtesy call with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, reaffirming Zimbabwe’s solidarity during Lusaka’s mourning period for former President Edgar Lungu. The discussion underscored the enduring bilateral relationship and emphasized continued collaboration to develop both nations’ economies for the benefit of their citizens. Following the meeting, VP Kembo Mohadi ’s delegation traveled to Kabwe, about 138km north of Lusaka, before visiting Mkushi Girls Training Camp, the site of a tragic attack on 19 October 1978 that claimed the lives of over 1,000 Zipra forces and several Zambian police and army personnel.
Extending his tour beyond the planned itinerary, Vice-President Kembo Mohadi also examined defensive positions, foxholes, and the former camp clinic to assess their present condition. On the final day, he visited St Mary’s Cemetery, where 14 of the 15 Zambian policemen killed in the attack were laid to rest, interacting with two surviving officers whom he lauded as heroes of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. The tour concluded with a visit to the Mulungushi Liberation War Site, located 48km northeast of Kabwe, where approximately 33 freedom fighters lost their lives in attacks on 22 December 1978 and 14 April 1979. At every shrine, VP Kembo Mohadi laid wreaths and observed moments of silence in honor of the fallen.
Interest in Zimbabwe’s liberation war heritage sites is growing, with more citizens seeking to learn about the country’s struggle for independence. Next month, a delegation from Teachers4ED is expected to visit the shrines.
Throughout the visit, Zambia extended significant logistical support, providing two Air Force helicopters and a motorcade to ensure smooth movement for the delegation. VP Kembo Mohadi was accompanied by Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Reverend Paul Damasane, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Zambia Charity Charamba, Deputy Ministers Dr Omphile Marupi and Chido Sanyatwe, Ambassador Kwame Muzawazi, and other senior government officials.
The tour not only reinforced bilateral ties between Zimbabwe and Zambia but also highlighted the ongoing commitment to preserving and honoring the region’s liberation heritage, ensuring that the sacrifices of past generations continue to inspire present and future citizens.
Source- Herald
