The Deputy Director of the Southern Africa Department in the Communist Party of China’s International Department Zhang Yanhong has praised the ongoing strong cooperation between the six southern Africa’s liberation parties.

Yanhong made the remarks yesterday at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership Academy in Kibaha, while opening a training session for parties’ leaders, which played a key role in the liberation of Southern African nations.

During the 20th century, especially in the 1960s and 1970s, China, under the leadership of the CPC, played a significant role in supporting African liberation movements. 

The CPC provided material, financial, and military support to several SADC liberation parties, which were fighting against colonial and apartheid regimes. 

These included the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa, the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia), and the MPLA (People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola) in Angola.

On her part, Rabia Hamidu, Secretary for Political and International Relations in CCM’s National Executive Council (NEC), emphasized the need for these nations to showcase unity to strengthen Africa. 

She also encouraged the participants to learn Kiswahili, highlighting its significance as an African language.

Professor Marcelina Chijoriga, Principal of the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership Academy, stated that the institution provides training to leaders of political parties, public institutions, governments, and private organizations.

According to Professor Chijoriga, the training has 90 participants, with each party sending 15 representatives. The training will last for nine days.

The Vice Chairman of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Stephen Wassira, has urged liberation movements in Southern Africa not to forget their original mission of not only liberating their nations but also leading them. 

He emphasized the need for these parties to adapt their leadership strategies and not be swayed by global changes that could divert them from their goals.