Harare — HEAD of the visiting Angolan delegation yesterday said claims that white farmers are the only ones capable of running commercial farms were false in view of the level of production in farms in Mashona-land Central.

Mr Paulo Dino Matross, the secretary- general of the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, made the remarks after touring Cde Tsitsi Gezi's Kwayedza Farm, Cde Elias Kanengoni's Whitecliff Farm and Cde Savior Kasukuwere's Concorpia Farm -- all in Mazowe.

"I can see that production and management at the farms we visited is exceptionally well. These farms should serve as examples to international detractors that the black man can competently run the farms," he said.

He said he had noted that the international community was merely trying to mislead the world and tarnish President Mugabe's image because of his stance on the land reform that is progressing well.

"Angola also suffered the same fate because of these imperialists. I believe this suffering is transient and would pass with time. Angola has been fighting these imperialists for 40 years," Mr Matross said.

Mashonaland Central Governor and Resident Minister Advocate Martin Dinha said there was need for the two countries with common revolutionary background to strengthen ties and share ideas in fighting neo-colonialism.

Adv Dinha said MPLA remained a shining example of a revolutionary party to Zanu-PF that defeated imperialists in four decades.

"We as Zanu-PF treasure revolutionary forces in Southern Africa and we appeal for such relationship to cascade from government to party level," Adv Dinha said.

He added that Zimbabwe continued to be demonised because of its successful land reform programme.

"We are not worried as Zanu-PF. We know we will defeat the imperialists," he said. Zanu-PF politburo member Cde Kasukuwere said he was confident that the younger generation would not let down their leaders and allow imperialists to reclaim the country's land.

"This (farming) season we would like to send a clear message to our detractors that we mean real business in Zimbabwe. We are prepared for tough times ahead of us," he said.

Mr Matross was accompanied by the MPLA secretary for international affairs Mr Paulo Jorae, MPLA head of Africa desk Mr Manuel Pedro Chaves, Mr Dilson Cacoma, who works in the MPLA internal affairs and Mr Jose Andrade De Lemos, the first secretary of committee of MPLA in Zimbabwe.