The Southern African
Development Community (SADC) made up of 15 countries held its 38th
Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government in Windhoek,
Namibia. The summit was held under the theme “Promoting Infrastructure
Development and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development.”
The SADC region is one of the few that experienced direct rule during
the colonial era, leading to armed struggle in most of the countries.
Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mauritius, Lesotho, Botswana, Kingdom of
Eswatini and South Africa were under British rule. Angola and Mozambique
were colonised by Portugal and gained their independence through armed
struggle as well. Tanzania and Namibia were first
colonised by Germany before the United Kingdom and South Africa took
over respectively. In both countries, the armed struggle played a role
in getting independence. Namibia gained independence from South Africa
on 21 March 1990, following the Namibian War of Independence. Rwanda and
the Democratic Republic of Congo gained their independence from
Belgium.
The countries in the region share a deep history
that goes back to the colonial period and the attainment of
independence. In a communiqué issued after the 38th Ordinary Summit held
in Windhoek, member states endorsed 23rd of March as a date to mark the
Southern Africa Liberation struggle of resistance.
In South Africa, the 27th of April is Freedom Day. It celebrates freedom and commemorates the first
post-apartheid elections held on that day in 1994. On May 25, Africa
Day is set aside to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives for the
African liberation struggle. Africa Day which was called Africa
Liberation Day was started in 1958 by Kwame Nkrumah.
The Southern African Liberation Day would likely bring into sharper
focus the efforts of liberation struggle in individual Southern African
countries. Beyond Nelson Mandela, Sam Nujoma and Robert Mugabe who are
well known liberation figures, other liberation figures need to be
celebrated and remembered.
Most importantly, the history
surrounding the liberation struggle and its importance to conversations
such as the #RhodesMustFall movement and the land repatriation
conversation which cuts across most of the Southern African countries
can’t be overemphasized.
Significance of 23 March
The date is a special day for the region, highly regarded as one of
the turning points in Southern Africa’s history. The day is dedicated to
the Cuito Cuanavale battle, fought in the Angolan province of Cuando
Cubango in 1988, between the Angolan Army, aided by Cuban forces, and
the invading troops of the former apartheid regime in South Africa. The
fighting in the south western part of Angola led to the withdrawal of
the South African, ANC and Cuban presence in Angola, and to the
Independence of Namibia. The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale is commemorated
in several countries in southern Africa.
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