Antony Chawagarira
HARARE — The Speaker of the National Assembly of Mozambique, Margarida Adamugy Talapa, arrived in Zimbabwe on Sunday afternoon for a four-day official visit, which is expected to further strengthen parliamentary cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
Talapa is leading a delegation of Mozambican legislators and parliamentary officials on this reciprocal visit, which seeks to deepen parliamentary diplomacy and consolidate the longstanding relationship between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
She was received at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Tsitsi Gezi, and other senior officials.
The visit comes against the backdrop of longstanding political, historical, and socio-economic ties between the two countries, which have maintained close relations dating back to the liberation struggle.
The official programme begins on Monday, with the Mozambican delegation touring the new Parliament building at Mt Hampden.
The two sides will also hold meetings involving Chief Whips and the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Talapa will later hold bilateral discussions with her Zimbabwean counterpart, Advocate Jacob Mudenda. The two Speakers are expected to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two legislatures.
The programme will also include an exchange of gifts and a joint press conference before Advocate Mudenda hosts the Mozambican delegation at an official dinner.
On Tuesday, the delegation will visit the National Heroes Acre, where Talapa is expected to lay a wreath in honor of Zimbabwe’s liberation heroes.
The Mozambican legislators will also tour the Museum of African Liberation as part of their visit.
The delegation is expected to engage with members of the Mozambican community living in Zimbabwe on Wednesday before returning home on Thursday.
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for the two Parliaments to exchange experiences on legislative processes, parliamentary administration, and regional cooperation, while reinforcing the bonds of friendship between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
