(TALKZIMBABWE) ANC vows unwavering support for Zanu PF

ANC vows unwavering support for Zanu PF
Ralph Mutema
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:57:00 +0000

SOUTH Africa's ruling African National Congress has promised its unwavering support for Zanu PF, saying it will forever be grateful to the party for supporting its liberation struggle and that of the whole region.

The comments were made at the closing of the just-ended Zanu PF Fifth National People’s Congress in Harare on Saturday by ANC national executive committee member, multimillionaire Tokyo Sexwale. Sexwale hailed Zanu PF’s contribution to regional liberation and said this should never be overlooked.

He was delivering a solidarity message on behalf of the ANC, its leadership and South African President Jacob Zuma.

“It is Zanu PF that supported all of us in the Southern African region to have the freedom we enjoy today.

“The importance of Zanu PF in Zimbabwe and in the region cannot be overemphasised in the quest for political freedom.

“Zanu PF played a big role in bringing the end to colonialism, to racism in South Africa and in the region.

“It is our sincere hope that this congress shapes the future of Zimbabwe and the region,” Sexwale said.

“We as ANC and Zanu-PF remain as one. We know where we came from and we know our history. What goes on in South Africa will eventually affect Zimbabwe and what happens in Zimbabwe must affect South Africa,” he said

Sexwale said Zanu PF should lead the way in ensuring the success of the Global Political Agreement, economic development and poverty alleviation in Zimbabwe.

“The decisions reached at this Congress will help inject life into the inclusive Government,” he added.

Sexwale also called for the immediate lifting of all forms of illegal and inhumane sanctions imposed against Zimbabwe by Britain and its allies in the West.

“We want to call on the world and everyone to recognise the GPA and lift any (illegal) sanctions imposed on the country.”

Sexwale urged Zimbabweans to safeguard the gains of their hard-won independence for which many of their sons and daughters died fighting.

“Your enemies never criticise you, but they will (instead) destroy you, only your friends will criticise you in a constructive manner. Zimbabwe should always heed the call whenever South Africa criticises you.”

The ANC delegation joined other sister liberation movements who graced the Congress and delivered solidarity messages to the party. These included Zambia’s Unip, Frelimo of Mozambique, the Chinese Communist Party, and the Cuban Communist Party, among others.

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A report in The Herald was used to compile this story.