Mugabe invited to the Fort Hare Varsity centenary celebrations

President Mugabe has been invited to attend the historic Fort Hare University centenary celebrations whose alumni include some of the sub-continent's most famous leaders including him and the late president Nelson Mandela.

Presenting his credentials at State House in Harare yesterday, newly appointed South African ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Mpakama Mbete said he was also pushing for South African president Jacob Zuma to visit Zimbabwe.

President Zuma is expected to visit Zimbabwe this year in fulfilment of conditions of the Bi-National Commission established between the two countries during President Mugabe's State visit to the neighbouring country last year.

The Bi-National Commission requires that the presidents meet annually to cement political and economic relations.

Five other ambassadors from Singapore, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Conakry, Palestine and Ethiopia also presented their credentials.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and the permanent secretary Ambassador Joey Bimha attended the ceremony.

"The centenary celebrations are held all year round, but President Mugabe is most likely to attend special celebrations set for next month. We have extended the invitation and he has agreed to attend.

"We will also ensure that President Zuma's scheduled visit to Zimbabwe takes place and we will also engage South African companies and ask them to promote bi-lateral issues between our two countries," he said.

The University of Fort Hare is home to hundreds of Zimbabwean students studying under the Presidential Scholarship Scheme.

First to present his credentials was the ambassador of Ethiopia Mr Mustafe Dek Abdisalam who said he would spearhead the acceleration of trade.

"The relationship between our two countries dates back in our struggles for independence. We have excellent relations. My ambition is to strengthen and build on what is already there. To strengthen investment and trade," he said.

Next was Palestine ambassador Mrs Taghrid Senour who said she was pleased to meet President Mugabe and was looking forward to strengthening relations between the two countries.

"Zimbabwe has always been supportive of Palestinians. We are grateful of the continued support and I am looking forward to strengthening our existing relations," she said.

Equatorial Guinea ambassador Mr Jose Ela Ebang Mbang said he was going to reinforce the strong relations which exist between his country and Zimbabwe.

"We have strong ties with Zimbabwe, but we did not have an embassy in Zimbabwe. Now that we have one, we will be able to accelerate various bi-lateral arrangements," he said.

Singapore ambassador Mr Chua Thai Keong who will be based in South Africa hailed strong relations between Zimbabwe and his country pledging to improve on economic relations.

"My immediate challenge is to build on and improve existing relations. Singapore is a unique part of Asia.

"It is a hub and source of investments. Through Singapore, Zimbabwe can reach out to the rest of Asia," he said.

Guinea-Conakry ambassador Mr Djigui Camara who will be based in Luanda, Angola said he intends to improve existing relations.

"We have good relations politically. The challenge for me would be to build on the relations to include economic ties. There are a lot of issues politically which we can explore for our mutual benefit," he said.