Contribution of Zimbabwean military diasporas to independence archived

Harare (New Ziana)-Zimbabwean military diasporas contributed immensely to the liberation of the country with freedom fighters going to countries like Russia, Ethiopia and Egypt among others, for training, a Cabinet Minister has said.

War Veterans and Liberation Struggle Affairs Minister, Christopher Mutsvangwa said this at the launch of the Russia-Africa archival and documentary exhibition which the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK) held at the Museum of African Liberation on Tuesday.

“Southern Africa acquired a political soul, something that is unique and that Europeans never had if we look into history. During the industrial period Europe used the gun to colonize other nations. However, in 1917
Russia broke away from the European Union because they wanted to democratize the gun to have an even ground on the battlefield,” he said.

Mutsvangwa said the Russians assisted in the liberation struggle hence the exhibition using pictures and videos to conserve history will draw the youths into knowing their past, since they are always on television screens due to digitalization.

The exhibition has pictures and videos of liberation fighters with Russians who trained them in the use of the famous Automatic Kalashnikova (AK47) gun, as well as Russian modified rocket launchers and other armaments.

It also features portraits of Zulu people fighting the British army in the Anglo-Zulu war at the battle of Isandlwana where the colonial troops suffered a heavy defeat in 1879.

The late Solomon Mujuru (Rex Nhongo) and Josiah Magama Tongogara are some of the military commanders shown on the videos, demonstrating and training both male and female Zimbabwe African National Liberation (ZANLA) forces that executed the armed struggle.

Russian ambassador to Zimbabwe Nikolai Vladimirovich Krasilniko, who attended the event together with INSTAK chairperson Simbi Mubako said; “Russia is proud of what has been done and achieved together, nevertheless the struggle goes on against neocolonialism. In Ukraine we fight those forces from the West hence the need for sovereign independent states to protect their cultural diversity.”

He said it is remarkable that Zimbabwe is not afraid to support Russia openly, which is a sign that it is a sovereign country.
“Fertilizers were locked in the ports by the European countries and talks were made and the ban was lifted. We made arrangements with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the destination of the fertilizer is Zimbabwe,” he said.

Krasilniko said 23 000 metric tons of fertilizer will be shipped through the Beira to Zimbabwe corridor, demonstrating the good friendship between the two countries.

Russia will also supply 25 000 metric tonnes of grain to Zimbabwe in a gesture meant to allay fears of food shortages in the country and to strengthen ties between two countries, he said.

New Ziana