Wed, 17 May 2017 10:08:41 +0000
By KALOBWE BWALYA
VICE President Inonge Wina has commended the South African government for its tireless commitment in promoting security, stability and peace in the sub-Saharan region and for having recognized Lusaka for the role it played during the freedom struggle and in the life of African National Congress founder Oliver Tambo.
Mrs Wina said Lusaka, being the headquarters of the African National Congress during the bitter freedom struggle in South Africa, interacted with many freedom fighters, hence the special relations between South Africa and Zambia has continued.
The Vice President said this when a South African delegation led by that country’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Mashabane called on her at her office in Lusaka yesterday. The delegation is here to prepare for the celebration of the centenary of the late ANC stalwart and freedom fighter Oliver Tambo.
Ms Wina said urged the South African Government to continue with its efforts in areas of conflict resolution on the continent especially in areas like the Great Lakes Region as well as intervention in resolving conflicts in Lesotho which was an indication of South Africa’s commitment to security and stability of the region.
“We salute South Africa’s leadership as the chairperson of African Union (AU) Committee on Peace, Defence and Security matters and of course now the chairmanship is in the hands of Tanzania, but Zambia is very committed to the issue of peace, security and stability in our region and we realize that without peace no development can take root in any country.
‘‘Therefore Government is grateful to South Africa for recognizing Lusaka for the role that it played in the freedom struggle,“said Mrs Wina.
Meanwhile, Mrs Wina has urged South Africa to champion the calls for Africa to become a member of the United Nations Security Council because the continent’s strong critical mass should not be ignored by the world community.
Mrs Wina said Africa cannot be left out in global decision making and on concerns of development, peace and security in the world.
And Ms Mashabane said Zambia attached great importance to South Africa in terms of freedom struggle, saying there was no struggle.
She said the two countries needed to remain stable in peace and security if the region was to attain development and committed to the work Zambia was doing in trying to put Africa into the UN Security Council
Meanwhile, Zambia Union of Freedom Fighters co-patron Sikota Wina said the leadership and legacy of the late Oliver Tambo should be emulated such as humility and love for others.
