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Joseph Madzimure Senior Reporter
PREPARATIONS for the Former Liberation Movements (FLM) summit slated for Victoria Falls are now at an advanced stage, with all invited sister parties having confirmed participation, Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu has said.

The FLM summit runs from September 8 to 12, and will attract 200 delegates.

Political parties expected to take part are Zanu-PF, African National Congress (South Africa), People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola, SWAPO (Namibia), FRELIMO (Mozambique), Botswana Democratic Party (Botswana) and Chama Cha Mapinduzi (Tanzania).

In an interview on Friday after assessing the Victoria Falls venue, Cde Mpofu said Zanu-PF has intensified preparations for the important summit.

“All invited sister parties have confirmed their participation. We are expecting 200 delegates,” he said.

The summit is expected to discuss issues that transform the living standards of citizens.

The anti-sanctions drive adopted by the SADC at the recent summit held in Tanzania is also set to come under intense deliberations.

SADC countries have declared October 25 as a solidarity day against the ruinous illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West.

Various activities would be lined in SADC countries as part of efforts to resoundingly call for the immediate removal of the sanctions.

Cde Mpofu said that Botswana will take part for the first time in the history of FLM.

“Preparations for the summit are at an advanced stage with Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) having confirmed their participation for the first time in the political history of the region. It is important that Botswana will be participating as they played a significant role during the liberation struggle.

“For the first time, we will be having Botswana. As you are aware, Botswana played a major role in assisting, supporting, facilitating for our recruits as many of them went through Botswana during the liberation struggle. So we feel there should be recognition of Botswana for their sterling work.

“The party has also approved a budget for the event, which is an honour to us to have all our comrades congregating in Zimbabwe to reminisce on the struggle for our liberation,” said Dr Mpofu.

He added that the former liberation movements from the seven countries have sent names of delegates expected to take part at the conference.

President Mnangagwa, who is Zanu-PF First Secretary, will be joined by other regional party leaders such as Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), John Magufuli (Tanzania), Mokgweetsi Masisi (Botswana), Hage Geingob (Namibia), Filipe Nyusi (Mozambique) and Joan Lourenço (Angola).