Just before South Africa’s African National Congress delegation came to Zimbabwe to meet its Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front counterparts, former opposition spokesman, Obert Gutu tweeted: “They will come. They will hold meetings. They will talk. They will go back home. None But Ourselves Can Resolve Zimbabwe’s challenges.”
How right he was. The ANC delegation met with ZANU-PF but after eight hours of discussions, they issued a communiqué that did not justify the amount of time they had spent talking.
It appeared, as Gutu said, they had been comparing notes and agreed that the next time the delegation visits Zimbabwe it can meet the opposition and civic groups.
ANC delegation leader Ace Magashule said that those they would meet include Simba Makoni, a former senior member of ZANU-PF who went on to form Mavambo; the Zimbabwe African People’s Union, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, the MDC-Alliance and United States ambassador to Zimbabwe.
Below is the communiqué issued by the two parties:
COMMUNIQUE OF THE ZIMBABWE AFRICAN NATIONAL UNION PATRIOTIC FRONT (ZANU PF) AND THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS (ANC) BI-LATERAL MEEETING CONVENED ON 09 SEPTEMBER 2020.
The ZANU PF-ANC Bilateral Meeting convened from 09-10 September in Harare, Zimbabwe, and was attended by the following:
Comrade Dr. O. M. Mpofu ZANU PF Secretary for Administration (Chairperson)
Comrade Elias Magashule ANC Secretary General
Cde Patrick Chinamasa ZANUPF Member of the Politburo
Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi ZANUPF Member of the Politburo
Cde SB Moyo ZANU PF Member of the Politburo
Cde July Moyo ZANU PF Member of the Politburo
Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi ZANUPF Central Committee
Cde Lindiwe Zulu ANC NEC Member
Cde Mapisa Ngakhula ANC NEC Member
Cde Nomvula Mokonyane ANC NEC Member
Cde Enock Godongwana ANC NEC Member
Cde Tony Yengeni ANC NEC Member
Cde Dakota Lekgoete ANC NEC Member
The meeting was held in an atmosphere which was cordial, with frank and open discussions and mutual respect for each other.
APPRECIATING the warm and welcoming opening remarks by the ZANU PF Secretary for Administration, Cde Dr. O.M. Mpofu;
EMPHASIZING the importance of consolidating the historical ties of solidarity and mutual support amongst our Parties;
HAVING CONSIDERED the representations from the delegations, the meeting resolved the following:
- Reinvigoration of the long-standing strong ties between the two Liberation movements and strengthening of solidarity through regional integration programmes;
- Crime and corruption should be confronted head on, in both countries to ensure that our people have confidence in our Parties;
- Consolidate and defend the gains of our revolution and people’s struggle
- Crafting of economic programmes which advance the socio- economic conditions of our people
- Committed to self-introspection, renewal of Values of trust, accountability, openness and honesty and this should be the mainstay of our Parties resolve.
- That economic sanctions and embargos are one of the biggest albatross on the people of Zimbabwe and the economy and should unconditionally be removed
- The aspirations of our people should be at the centre of our priorities as liberation movements
- Agreed to engage in programmes to empower youths and women in our countries.
- The two parties agreed to convene and meet regularly to discuss issues of mutual concern and interest, particularly economic.
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