Zimbabwe commemorates 41st Independence Day

By Felix Tih

ANKARA (AA) - Zimbabwe commemorated its 41st Independence Day on Sunday with low key celebrations amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Most activities will be held virtually in accordance with COVID-19 prevention measures.

Formerly known as Rhodesia, the southern African country gained independence as Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980 from Britain.

"Happy Independence Day Zimbabwe. 41 years ago, our great nation broke free from colonial rule," President Emmerson Mnangagwa tweeted on Sunday.

"Today we come together not only to honour our past, but to celebrate our future. I have no doubt that through the genius and passion of our people, Zimbabwe shall rise once again!" he added.

Zimbabwe’s envoy to Ankara Alfred Mutiwazuka said in a statement to Anadolu Agency: "As we celebrate 41 years of our independence, I wish to take this opportunity and call on Turkey’s business people and companies to invest in the following sectors; energy, mining, health, tourism, agriculture, financial services, construction of shopping malls and other high-end properties, housing, office complex and major highways."

He said Zimbabwe stands to benefit from the experiences of Turkey which adopted in the early 2000s an economic concept that culminated in phenomenal economic growth averaging 5% per year.

"The Turkish model of economic partnerships is based on genuine technology and skills transfer. Zimbabwe is now focusing on Turkey because we know your love for Africa as Turkish people," he added.

He also thanked President Mnangagwa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for giving impetus to the two countries’ bilateral relations.