Pretoria - Africa's liberation heritage must be passed on so that children know where they come from, says President Jacob Zuma.
"We must tell our children how the heroes of the African continent fought tirelessly, so that they could be able to walk around as free people in the countries of their birth. The liberation heritage of Africa must not suffer as we chase the important goals of building a better life and improving the social and economic status of our people," said Zuma.
The President was speaking at the 25th commemoration of former Mozambican President Samora Moises Machel's death in Mpumalanga on Monday.
Machel and 33 others, including ministers and officials, died when the former president's aircraft crashed in the Lebombo Mountains in Mbuzini.
"Issues of heritage define who we are, define our history and our future. Let the stories be told, let the monuments be built, not matter how long it takes us," said the President, adding that liberation heritage routes and footprints of monuments of freedom around the continent must be developed.
"In that way, the deaths of Comrade Samora Machel and scores of other stalwarts will not have been in vain."
Zuma described Machel as an activist for a better life for the people of Africa.
"We are paying tribute to a liberator, whose teachings and influence was not only felt in Mozambique but also in the entire Southern African region, the continent and beyond."
The President said it was time for both nations to reap the benefits of peace and liberation.
"None of us would ever want to go back to a period of conflict and war. A nation that is at peace with itself creates a climate that is conducive to productive economic and social activity and contributes positively to improvement of the standard of living for its citizens and its neighbours. There is progress in both countries."
Zuma will attend a ceremony to commemorate the plane crash in Mozambique on Wednesday.
He congratulated Mozambique on hosting the recent All Africa Games, saying the country has proven that African, given the opportunity, can compete with the world in terms of talent and hosting big events.
