HISTORICALLY the people of Zimbabwe and Mozambique (Mazambuko) are one.
The Mwenemutapa Kingdom, stretched between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers, encompassed the modern states of Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
It is therefore of special significance that the people of Mozambique and Zimbabwe were able to work together and assist each other; first when Zimbabwe was fighting for its liberation and when Mozambique needed assistance from terrorists hatched by Rhodesia and South Africa, the RENAMO menace.
When Cde Samora Machel repeatedly said that Zimbabwe’s war of liberation was Mozambique’s war, he was underlining what is not only true from a pan-Africanist perspective, but what was also true at a very fundamental level.
The Mozambicans and Zimbabweans are one, colonisation and colonial borders had separated the two peoples, but these were just borders.
Zimbabwe’s war of liberation was Mozambique’s own war; that Zimbabwe’s liberation was Mozambique’s liberation was more than a pan-Africanist cliché, the Mozambicans lived those words, they fulfilled them.
They extended a loving brotherly hand to Zimbabweans long before they became independent.
While they were still a guerilla movement fighting for their own liberation, FRELIMO allowed ZANLA to use areas it was controlling, to use its own operational bases, it provided military cover for ZANLA’s operations in the areas it controlled.
Already by end of 1969, beginning of 1970, ZANU and ZAPU leadership had agreed that ZANLA and ZIPRA should have joint operations with FRELIMO.
FRELIMO taught Zimbabwe’s liberation movements the strategy of mass mobilisation before any operations could take place in an area.
This Maoist approach saw liberation forces making strides because the people now backed them, severely limiting the enemy’s infiltration into the movements of the guerillas.
ZANLA also learned that arms and supplies had to be deployed ahead of operations.
FRELIMO used its great experience in guerilla warfare to train Zimbabwean freedom fighters.
With the support of FRELIMO, ZANLA was able to open the North-Eastern Border Front, it was also able to operate in the Tete Province after 1969.
Thus FRELIMO was still vulnerable, but still with very limited resources it assisted ZANU and ZAPU, morally and materially.
They did provide logistical support to ZANU although their own means were limited. Whenever ZANLA needed logistical supplies in the form of military supplies or medicines, to the best of their ability, FRELIMO availed these.
By supporting ZANLA, FRELIMO exposed its people to Rhodesian attacks, but they made the sacrifice, this did not deter them.
Due to all this support from FRELIMO, the ground was ready for the attack on Altena Farm on December 21 1972 which was commanded by the late General Solomon Mujuru (Rex Nhongo).
The North-Eastern Offensive was ready for a protracted guerilla warfare.
By the time of Mozambique’s independence, Mozambique had demonstrated its total commitment to Zimbabwe’s liberation.
It had spared no effort, material or moral; to assist in Zimbabwe’s struggle.
With its independence, Mozambique was able to give even greater support to Zimbabwe’s liberation war.
The FRELIMO government gave ZANLA large tracts of land to open operation bases such as Chimoio and Tembwe, transit zones such as Mavonde and holding camps such as Doiroi, Chibawawa and Xaixai, between them holding tens of thousands of refugees.
Because the border of Mozambique and Zimbabwe was now free and welcoming to Zimbabweans, thousands of Zimbabweans crossed into Mozambique, swelling the ranks of freedom fighters.
In 1976 alone, more freedom fighters were trained than at any other time.
New fronts were opened along the entire eastern border of Mozambique and the south.
By end of 1976, ZANLA had opened three provinces; Tete, Manica and Gaza.
ZIPRA opened new Northern and Southern Fronts.
Mozambique availed Maputo as ZANU’s diplomatic capital, enhancing the status of the party as well as its image and influence as a revolutionary movement.
Mozambique as a Frontline state together with other Frontline states, was our international face. She defended us all the way, our interests were in safe hands.
The FRELIMO government provided logistical and military support to ZANLA, to an even greater extent than before its independence.
They provided military cover for ZANLA operations.
It also facilitated the supply and movement of logistical supplies for ZANLA throughout their bases in Mozambique.
It mobilised its masses for our struggle and they gave all the love and support we needed, we were at home and at peace in Mozambique.
With new fronts across the entire country of Zimbabwe and the full backing of the FRELIMO government at the rear, ZANLA grew from strength to strength.
By 1978 the expansion of ZANU as a full liberation movement following Mozambique’s independence had its toll on the Rhodesia military machine.
The attack of Grand Reef Air Base in 1978, as well as the attack of the Salisbury Fuel Depot also by ZANLA, signalled the end for the Rhodesian regime.
The Rhodesians had no choice, but to call for talks.
Just as FRELIMO had said, Zimbabwe’s struggle was their struggle; just as they had said, as long as Zimbabwe was not free, Mozambique was not free; it was also true that Mozambique’s freedom was also Zimbabwe’s freedom because the new Mozambican Government did everything in their power as a sovereign state to assist Zimbabwe and our liberation struggle accelerated to unprecedented levels.
The people of Mozambique never faltered throughout our liberation struggle.
They consistently assisted our struggle.
With the support of the FRELIMO government ZANLA was making major strides and the Rhodesian regime was driven into a corner.
For this reason the Rhodesians and South African regime hatched a terrorist group, RENAMO, to weaken, if not overthrow the FRELIMO Government so that it would not continue to support ZANLA or the ANC.
The result was another war (1977-1992) against the new Republic of Mozambique which was still struggling to recover from its war of liberation against the Portuguese fascists.
It was only fitting and proper that Zimbabwe should come to the aid of Mozambique at this time of need by helping to fight RENAMO as it did. Mozambique had done no less, and besides, Mozambicans and Zimbabweans are one people.
Zimbabweans were at home in Mozambique.
As Mozambique celebrates its 41st year of independence, we too are celebrating.
Mozambique is the elder brother who never let us down when she became free on that June 25 1975. It was our day for it spelt doom for Rhodesia, our fate was sealed, we were marching home.
The unconditional support that Mozambique gave us is what defines our relationship with this great country, this great brother of ours for always.
We owe our dear brother a great debt of gratitude.
Happy 41st birthday our dear brother Mozambique!