Mbanza Kongo - The Zimbabwean ambassador to Angola, Thando Madzvamuse, on Monday in Mbanza Kongo City, northern Zaire Province, expressed his country's interest in promoting and publicising the cultural and historical potential of the former capital of the Kingdom of Kongo.
Speaking to the press at the end of a visit to the monuments and historical sites of this World Heritage city, the diplomat added that Mbanza Kongo has a rich culture and history that is of interest to the entire African continent.
According to him, the former capital of the Kingdom of Kongo, which was declared a World Heritage Site on 8 July 2017, was before colonial civilisation one of the most important and organised cities on the continent, the cradle of humanity.
He emphasised that his trip to Zaire Province for a two-day visit was aimed at getting to know the social, cultural and economic reality of this part of the country, so that he could gather accurate information on the ground to share with other African countries and the world.
He recognised that the Kingdom of Kongo brought countless inventions that have spread to various countries around the world, hence Zimbabwe's commitment to continuing to pursue this experience.
For Thando Madzvamuse, the countries of the African continent are currently in the process of asserting their identity, with the aim of achieving economic independence.
In his opinion, the historical and cultural potential that the city of Mbanza Kongo possesses, if well exploited and shared across borders, can contribute to the development of Angolans and other peoples.
He recalled that the history of the kingdom of Kongo is similar to that of the Kingdom of Monamotapa, in Zimbabwe, where some adjacent kingdoms paid taxes to their people.
To this end, he advocated the continued preservation and dissemination of the historical and cultural mosaic of the two people (Kongo and Monamotapa kingdoms) for the cultural progress of both countries.
On Monday morning, the Zimbabwean ambassador's delegation held a working meeting with Zaire's deputy governor for the political, social and economic sector, Afonso Nzolameso, in which they discussed issues relating to bilateral cooperation.
For Tuesday, Thando Madzvamuse will be working in the municipality of Soyo, especially in the border commune of Luvo, located 60 kilometres north of Mbanza Kongo, the capital of Zaire Province.
In Mbanza Kongo, the ambassador visited the Museum of the Kingdom of Kongo, the centuries-old Yala Nkuwu tree, Kulumbimbi Cathedral of St Saviour of the Congo, Tadi Dia Bukikua Archaeological dig, Mpindi a Tadi (the place where kings were embalmed), Negrita Bust, Mrs Mpolo's grave, as well as the Cemetery of the Kongo Kings.
DA/JL/MRA/jmc
