South African Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sue van der Merwe on Monday officially congratulated Zimbabwe on its 25th year of independence from Britain, praising it for its role in fighting apartheid.
Without mentioning the concerns of the official opposition in Zimbabwe about the fairness and freeness of the March parliamentary election, she said in a speech delivered at the Zimbabwe embassy in Pretoria: “April 18 1980 marked a milestone in the history not only of Zimbabwe but also that of the entire continent.
“The attainment of freedom in Zimbabwe carried enormous significance for us in South Africa. Zimbabwe and South Africa, as immediate neighbours, are tied together by history, language, culture and a similar legacy,” she stated.
Turning to the recent election, Van der Merwe said simply: “The 25th anniversary celebrations take place immediately after the people of Zimbabwe have elected a new government through the elections on March 31 2005.
“We congratulate the people of Zimbabwe and encourage them in their tireless efforts to contribute to the continental drive to bring about democracy in Africa as well as contributing to an equal and just world.”
She said: “Our peoples cross our common border back and forth, maintaining family ties, to engage in trade and commerce, and are inextricably linked to each other and share a common destiny.
“Your attainment of independence and leadership of the frontline states instilled in us a sense of hope during our darkest moments. The people and the government of Zimbabwe never wavered in their support for the liberation of the South African people from the yoke of oppression [apartheid].
“Our sisters and brothers from Zimbabwe sacrificed their own lives and enjoyment of their newly attained freedoms and liberties, so that we could also enjoy the same rights.
“Without a doubt, the transition from Southern Rhodesia to Zimbabwe was not an easy one, but you and your countrymen and women stood resolute in your commitment for a free Zimbabwe, and ultimately it was a price worth paying.
“Since Zimbabwe gained its independence, a great number of changes have taken place on the continent in general and Zimbabwe in particular.
“Today, we face even more challenges than before, which require our collective efforts to overcome. To safeguard the legacy of our common struggle and at the same time safeguard the future of the children of Africa, we now, more than ever, need to act in unison to overcome these challenges.” — I-Net Bridge