HEADLINE

ZAMBIA’s President Michael Sata says his recent visit to South Africa to attend the ANC centenary celebrations was part of enhancing Zambia’s relations with South Africa.

Speaking in a recent interview, President Sata, who was among other Heads of State who attended the Africa National Congress (ANC) 100 years celebrations which were held in Bloemfontein on January 8, 2012, said both Zambia and South Africa had a lot to learn from each other.

“South Africa has been learning from us and we have been learning from them. The interaction which we are doing, that is one way of enhancing the relationship. That is why we came (to attend the celebrations),” said President Sata. “It’s part of enhancing the relationship. That is why you came.”

The ANC recently celebrated 100 years since Africa’s longest surviving liberation movement was formed. During the celebrations, which were held at Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium, South Africa and ANC president Jacob Zuma gave a one hour speech to thousands of party members, in which he paid tribute to several countries which assisted in his country’s liberation struggle against apartheid.

Zambia was one of the countries President Zuma paid tribute to, with particularly emphasis on the country’s first Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda.

The ANC had its headquarters in Zambia after the organization was banned in South Africa.

"The people of Zambia, through their independence movement and mass organisations, received and assisted our movement even prior to the independence. We acknowledge the presence of our father, president Kenneth Kaunda in these celebrations," said President Zuma.

Statement prepared by First Secretary (Press) Patson Chilemba