In a peaceful gesture of solidarity and remembrance, Zimbabwe and Cuba have taken a bold step to preserve Africa’s liberation legacy by signing a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the transfer of military equipment from the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale to the Museum of African Liberation in Harare.
The signing ceremony, held in Havana on June 10, 2025, symbolised more than just the movement of military relics. It represented a deepening of ties between two nations united by a shared history of struggle against colonialism and apartheid. For the people of Southern Africa, the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale is more than a historical footnote; it’s a cornerstone in the region’s march toward freedom.
“This is equipment that was used in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, which really was a defining moment in the history of Africa,” said Ambassador Kwame Muzawazi, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK), speaking after the MoU was signed. “It signified the beginning of the end of apartheid, the independence of Namibia, and the victory of the Angolan people in their struggle for self-determination.”
His words reflected a broader vision: that the Museum of African Liberation would not simply be a building of plaques and photographs, but a living, breathing testament to the spirit and soul of Africa’s epic struggle for independence. “A five-star museum carries the spirit and the soul of the times gone by through tangibles,” Muzawazi explained. “These are the real artefacts that carry the spirit and the soul of Africa’s glorious past.”
The signing ceremony, attended by key figures including Brigadier-General Million Ndlovu of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) and Cuba’s Vice-Minister of Culture Ms. Lizette Martinez Luzardo, marked the latest milestone in a relationship nurtured through high-level diplomatic engagements. These began when President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa dispatched his Special Envoy, Ambassador Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, to present the Museum of African Liberation Project to Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez in 2022.
Since then, Cuba has demonstrated unwavering support, most notably with the March 3, 2025, handover of key artefacts by Mr. Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the Cuban National Assembly. Now, with military equipment from the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale set to arrive in Harare, the Museum of African Liberation’s transformation from concept to reality is nearing its culmination.
For Cuba, the connection to Africa runs deep. “Afro-Cuban unity helped defeat one of the greatest enemies of humanity in the form of colonialism and apartheid,” said Ms. Sonja Perez Mojena, Director-General of the National Council of National Heritage of Cuba. She highlighted that this MoU would help ensure that both Africans and Cubans understand not just the history of their struggles but also the sacrifices that shaped their destinies.
Indeed, Cuba’s involvement in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale from November 1987 to March 1988 remains one of the most compelling examples of international solidarity. Cuban soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder with Angolan and Namibian freedom fighters, halting apartheid forces and paving the way for Namibia’s independence and majority rule in South Africa. The battle’s legacy is so significant that March 23, the final day of the confrontation, is celebrated as Southern Africa Liberation Day across the region.
Analytically, the transfer of military equipment is more than a ceremonial gesture. It represents a powerful bridge between generations, an opportunity for young Africans to connect with the realities of struggle, resilience, and sacrifice. It’s a chance to transform the Museum of African Liberation into a dynamic learning space that transcends dusty displays, breathing life into the stories that shaped the continent.
The Museum, which forms the centrepiece of Zimbabwe’s Liberation City project, aims to be a monument to the epic struggle to liberate the African people from European colonialism and apartheid. This partnership with Cuba ensures that the Museum will house authentic artefacts that carry the weight of history, a history that is as much about unity and shared struggle as it is about victory.
As the MoU’s ink dries, it’s clear that the relationship between Zimbabwe and Cuba is not just about shared pasts but also about building futures grounded in knowledge, mutual respect, and a deep sense of Pan-Africanism. And with every artifact that arrives from Cuba, the Museum of African Liberation takes another step toward becoming the five-star museum that Zimbabwe, and Africa, deserve.
