France to upgrade Great Zimbabwe monument

France has pledged to upgrade Great Zimbabwe monument in Masvingo and the National Archives of Zimbabwe (NAZ) as re-engagement efforts by the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa continue to bear fruits.

Great Zimbabwe monument will have its facilities refurbished while NAZ will be digitalised to preserve data stored by the institution in a collaboration aimed at deepening the two countries’ bilateral relations.

French Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Laurent Chevallier paid a courtesy call on Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe where the two discussed the intended facelift of the two facilities.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Minister Kazembe said the French embassy had pledged to upgrade facilities at Great Zimbabwe while digitalising NAZ.

He said work on these two sites by France was part of a number developmental projects that they have been over time been collaborating as part of enhancing bilateral relations.

Minister Kazembe said the two countries have been collaborating in the area of culture for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

“We have had discussions around areas of cooperation. We have a long standing mutually beneficial relationship with France. Discussions we had are in areas within the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage.

The ambassador brought good news that they want to assist us with regard to the promotion and upgrading of Great Zimbabwe. They have also extended assistance with National Archives of Zimbabwe where they are willing to assist with training ad and digitalisation,” said Minister Kazembe.

He said enhancing collaboration with all countries was consistent with engagement and re0engagement efforts currently being pursued by the Second Republic.

Ambassador Chevallier said his country took pride in collaborating with Zimbabwe.

“We have had a fruitful partnership with Zimbabwe. We want to develop and strengthen our relationship. We are committed to help this important historical site,” he said.-heradlc.l.zw