By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
PRETORIA — South Africa has officially joined the Museum of African Liberation Project, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa welcoming the move as a significant step towards preserving the continent’s heroic liberation legacy.
The agreement was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding on Arts, Culture and Heritage, signed at the Heads of State Summit of the Fourth Session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Pretoria on 21 August 2026.
The MoU was one of six instruments adopted by President Mnangagwa and his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, as part of broader efforts to deepen bilateral relations and strengthen collaboration across key sectors.
The agreements seek to translate longstanding political and historical ties into practical cooperation and tangible development outcomes.
A Platform for Pan-African Heritage
In his remarks following the signing, President Mnangagwa expressed optimism about South Africa’s participation in the project, which is being spearheaded by the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK).
“Zimbabwe looks forward to South Africa taking steps to develop land allocated to it at the Museum of African Liberation in Zimbabwe,” President Mnangagwa said.
He emphasised the museum’s significance as a platform to showcase the country’s heroic anti-apartheid struggle and its substantial contribution to the liberation of African countries.
“This will go a long way in preserving this legacy, as well as inspiring present and future generations,” he added.
Translating History into Tangible Benefits
President Mnangagwa stressed that the BNC should produce concrete outcomes that strengthen economic integration, industrialisation, and cooperation between the two nations.
Echoing this sentiment, President Ramaphosa called for the historic relationship between Zimbabwe and South Africa to be translated into tangible benefits for their peoples.
The leaders’ remarks underscored a shared vision of moving beyond diplomatic goodwill to practical cooperation that improves the lives of citizens in both countries.
A National Priority Project
The Museum of African Liberation is a Pan-African heritage, cultural diplomacy, and tourism infrastructure undertaking by INSTAK, a Zimbabwean think tank that was represented at the BNC by its Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Kwame Muzawazi.
The museum is housed inside INSTAK’s Liberation City in Harare, a multi-use development encompassing 101 hectares that is being developed with the full support of President Mnangagwa and his Government.
It has been accorded national priority project status and forms a key component of Zimbabwe’s bid to host the 2027 African Union Mid-Year Summit, at which time the museum is expected to be officially opened.
A Legacy for Future Generations
The Museum of African Liberation is envisioned as more than just a repository of artefacts — it is a living monument to the sacrifices made by African peoples in their struggle for freedom.
For Zimbabwe and South Africa, two nations whose histories are deeply intertwined through the liberation struggle, the project offers a unique opportunity to tell a shared story of resistance, resilience, and triumph.
As the museum takes shape on the outskirts of Harare, it stands as a testament to the vision of a continent that honours its past while building its future — and now, with South Africa’s partnership, that vision is one step closer to reality.
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