President Hichilema says Zambia, Zimbabwe are truly one

President Hakainde Hichilema says the status of Zambia and Zimbabwe being Siamese twins should be maintained.

The president welcomed Zimbabwe’s Vice-President Kembo Mohadi at State House today.

Vice-President Mohadi arrived in Zambia on Saturday to visit sites where Zimbabwean fighters were killed by the Ian Smith regime, during that country’s liberation struggle.

Every August, Zimbabwe pays tribute to its fallen heroes.

Vice-President Mohadi visited Chilenje House, a museum house in Lusaka’s Chilenje area where first president Kenneth Kaunda lived from January 1960 to December 1962 and a house within Lusaka where Zimbabwean politician Herbert Chitepo lived and died from.

Mr Chitepo led the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) until he was assassinated in March 1975 in Lusaka.

The Vice-President also visited Nampundwe in Shibuyunji district, Central Province, where about 200 Zimbabweans were murdered prior to that country gaining independence on April 18,1980.

Tomorrow, Vice-President Mohadi will visit Kabwe and Mkushi where other Zimbabwean heroes are buried.

President Hichilema said Zambia and Zimbabwe are truly one.

“We share a lot in common, in addition to people-to-people bloodlines.

“Before your independence, this University of Zambia has been a university for many Zimbabweans. President Mnangagwa went to UNZA as myself – of course, much earlier than me. President Mnangagwa lived here, like yourself. President Mugabe was a lecturer at Chalimbana College. Joshua Nkomo lived around State House here,” he said.

President Hichilema added that for the younger Zambians and Zimbabweans, “these two countries are like Siamese twins and we ought to manage them like that going forward.”

“The two countries are inseparable and you are home here. Your mission is noble and this government will do what you need done to support this mission,”’ he said.

Vice-President Mohadi started by conveying warm and fraternal greetings from Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa to President Hichilema.

He added that Zambia, where he first set foot in 1971, is his second home and lived in the capital city, Libala Stage three.

“Zimbabwe appreciates Zambia’s unwavering support during our darkest hours and reiterates that this will forever be etched in our collective memories as Zimbabweans.

“We thank the Republic of Zambia for hosting over 10, 000 Zimbabwean students who are living peacefully in Zambia whilst undertaking their studies,” Vice-President Mohadi said, and commiserated with Zambians over the demise of former president Edgar Lungu.