Page 31 - 41st Summit Brochure

SADC Hashim Mbita Project on Southern African Liberation Struggles

The liberation of southern Africa was a major political event of the Until he said “mission accomplished” in 1994, Mbita through
20th century which brought majority rule and created the opportunity the OAU mobilized materials and training for the liberation forces
for Africa to be free from racial oppression, economic exploitation of the remaining countries still under colonial rule, all of whom
and political exclusion. gained independence during his tenure, including Guinea-Bissau
Today, the liberation of southern Africa is reflected in SADC’s (1974), Mozambique (1975), Cape Verde (1975), Angola (1975),
vision of a “Common future, a future within a regional Community Zimbabwe (1980), Namibia (1990), and finally majority rule in
that will ensure economic wellbeing, improvement of the standards South Africa (1994).
of living and quality of life, freedom and social justice, and peace and Speaking a few years later at a symposium to mark Africa Day,
security of the people of southern Africa”. Ambassador Mbita urged the youth of the new generation to be
The stories of the liberation of southern Africa are well resolute in the struggle for economic and social development on the
documented in the SADC Hashim Mbita Project -- Southern African continent. He echoed a favourite phrase of Mwalimu Nyerere when
Liberation Struggles. The nine-volume publication results from the he said, “It can be done, play your part.”
research project initiated in August 2004, following budget
commitments by SADC Members States at the SADC Summit held There are two versions of the nine-
in Grande Baie, Mauritius and reconfirmed the following year by the volume publication on Southern
25th SADC Summit held in Gaborone, Botswana. African Liberation Struggles. The
The main purpose of the Mbita Project was the collection of first version was launched by the
stories and documents from people directly involved in the late President of Zimbabwe, Robert
liberation of southern Africa. This collection was developed under Mugabe on 17 August 2014 at the
the guidance of the late Brigadier-General Hashim Mbita as the 34th SADC Summit held in Victoria
passionate proponent and Patron of the project to provide a Falls, Zimbabwe. This version
comprehensive record designed to preserve memory to assist captured verbatim stories of people
present and future generations to remember and understand the on the liberation struggles in their
vision and sacrifices of our Founders. native languages.
The project's primary objective was to document the history of The second version was launched by
the liberation struggle of southern Africa through the collection, Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi on 23 June 29
cataloguing and compiling of oral texts and data in SADC Member 2021. In this version all the verbatim narratives were translated
States and outside the region. into English, French and Portuguese. With these two versions, readers
The late Brigadier General (retired) Hashim Mbita from the have an opportunity to read the narratives of the people interviewed,
United Republic of Tanzania played a critical role in the liberation captured verbatim in their native languages and also read from the
of African countries from colonial rule and apartheid. He was the translated narratives.
long-serving Executive Secretary of the coordinating committee The SADC Secretariat is proud to announce that the publication
established by African leaders of the Organisation of African Unity can be accessed from the SADC Secretariat Library. It is good reading
(OAU) at their first assembly in 1963 that became known as the and reference material for everyone, particularly the youth,
OAU Liberation Committee. This was hosted in Dar es Salaam, researchers, academicians, policy makers and others who have the
Tanzania to provide political, diplomatic and material support to interest to learn about the liberation struggles of southern Africa.
the liberation movements. Guided by the SADC Summit of Heads of State and
Hashim Mbita headed the Liberation Committee for 22 years Government, the Secretariat is selling the publication at a cost recovery
after taking office in 1972, appointed by President Nyerere for his price of USD350 per set of nine volumes. Those interested to purchase
dedication and honesty, and his wide array of knowledge and skills. the publication can find it at the SADC Secretariat and offices of the
His name was known by freedom fighters across the African continent National Media Coordinators in the SADC Member States.
and he dedicated his final report to them asMission Accomplished. For further details on how to purchase or borrow the publication
“It is dedicated to the gallantry of Africa’s freedom fighters, contact the SADC Secretariat Librarian Mr. Liwakala Mudengi on
especially to the memory of those who did not live to see the dawn of lmudengi@sadc.int with a copy to prinfo@sadc.int or Telephone
this era in Africa. This is a tribute to their courage, a salute to the SADC +267 395 1863.
heroes and heroines of African Liberation. …”

SADC Hashim Mbita Project – Southern African Liberation Struggles
For the history of the liberation struggle in southern Africa, it was the late Brig-Gen
(rtd) Hashim Mbita himself who took on the task, using his skills of persuasion to
raise funds, and his inspirational enthusiasm to get the job done. He served as active
Patron of the SADC project that resulted in the publication of nine volumes
containing stories told by the people of region and their liberation movements,
about their role and that of the Frontline States with support of various
organisations and countries within and outside Africa. Hashim Mbita (late) at
left, with H.E. Dr Kenneth David Kaunda, the Founding President of Zambia
(late), both recipients of the Seretse Khama SADC Medal.