By Brandon Josphat
THE African Union (UA) and Sadc have endorsed the construction of the multimillion Museum of African Liberation in Warren Park, Harare, which is being built by the Institute of African Knowledge (Instak).
The endorsement comes after President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Zanu PF secretary of Foreign Affairs Simbarashe Mumbengegwi as his special envoy on the Museum Project with the task of engaging with various African countries to participate in the setting up of the continental gallery.
Other envoys who have been travelling with him are Instak chief executive officer Kwame Muzawazi and a director in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Partson Chikudza.
At the end of January, Mumbengegwi held high level talks with AU chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat in Ethiopia and Sadc executive secretary Elias Magosi in Botswana. The two blocs said they were ready to work with the Zimbabwe government and Instak on the construction of the Museum of African Liberation.
“Mumbengegwi conveyed his country’s desire to solicit support from Sadc member states for their endorsement and participation in the project, owing to the potential to contribute significantly to the preservation of Sadc’s culture, history, and the broader African narrative.
“Furthermore, he emphasised that the establishment of the Museum of African Liberation is aligned with Sadc’s objective to enhance and consolidate the historical, social, and cultural heritage among the people of the region, as outlined in the Sadc Treaty,” Sadc said in a statement after Mumbengegwi’s visit.
“Magosi highlighted that the project resonates with the region’s objectives, amongst others the operationalisation of the mechanism to recognise and honour the founders of Sadc for their contribution to the establishment of the organisation and pursuit of regional integration.” Sadc added it was committed to continue engaging Zimbabwe and Instak.
“The envoy presented a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) which outlines areas of mutual agreement and diplomatic support in the construction, including in the contribution of archival materials for exhibition in the museum.
“In this regard, further engagements regarding the project and MoU, as well as follow-ups, will be conducted between Sadc and Instak in collaboration with the Zimbabwean Embassy in Botswana,” Sadc added. On his part, Muzawazi said the envoy had engaged 20 countries willing to support the construction of the museum.
“So far, we have engaged with 20 countries at the heads of state level and the responses from the heads of state have been resoundingly positive and cooperative. We expect that by completion the museum will be a great bridge between Zimbabwe and the rest of the world,” he said.
He added: “The museum is one of the pillar projects of the Second Republic to ensure that we have institutions which preserve, promote and protect the legacy of our revolution. This project was also directly in response to the attainment of agenda 2063 that all 55 members of the African Union adopted.
“The AU at summit level has recommended its member states to come up in their own countries with projects and programmes that seek to help the people of Africa to take pride in their heritage and history and the museum is just one of them that Zimbabwe is driving.”