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Brigadier-General Misheck Tanyanyiwa Chimurenga name: Nemi Tichapedzerana “A courageous man gone too soon, the pain is too much to bear.” This was the overwhelming pain that most mourners who attended the late national hero Brigadier-General Misheck Tanyanyiwa’s funeral last week felt.
Indeed, he went too soon as speaker after speaker spoke of the great work he did firstly for his country, family and colleagues.
The void he left is too big, many said, but his legacy lives on.
But who was this great man, many spoke highly of?
Tanyanyiwa, whose Chimurenga name was “Nemi Tichapedzerana”, passed away on November 26, 2013 at the Beijing United Family Hospital in China where he was deployed as the Defence Attache of Zimbabwe to that country.
Born on May 13, 1955 in Bindura, Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa attained his Junior Certificate at Bradley Secondary School in Madziva from 1970 to 1971 and later completed his Ordinary Level through correspondence after independence.
Prior to his involvement in politics he was employed as an accountant at Gardner Denver Company.
Brig-Gen Tanyinyiwa joined the war of liberation in Mozambique in 1975 and received military training at Mgagao Training Camp, in Tanzania.
After training he was moved to Nachingweya, where he held the post of Regimental Political Commissar and was part of the instructors who trained the Songambeli group.
The late Brig-General Tanyanyiwa was arrested together with the other trainers at Nachingweya by the Tanzanian People’s Defence Forces after which they were returned to Mgagao. During the Lancaster House talks, Brig-General Tanyanyiwa was sent to Mozambique, Inhaminga, where he continued to train cadres.
He later went to Beira where he was the head of the War Loss Statistics Commission in 1979 to 1980. This commission was responsible for calculating war losses which included the compilation of names of the deceased combatants.
The highest rank he held during the liberation struggle was Detachment Commander. He worked with Cdes Gurupira, Sande and Menard Negidi in the same detachment.
Throughout the armed struggle the late brigadier-general demonstrated willingness and voluntary compliance with the plans and orders of his superiors. He exhibited unfailing devotion and commitment to the liberation cause showing willing efforts to carry out the intent of the revolution to the best of his abilities.
He persistently and consistently contributed significantly to the fight against the notorious Rhodesian Forces during the liberation struggle leading to the independence of Zimbabwe in 1980.
His resilience and enthusiasm during times of hardships and turbulence of the revolution greatly motivated his fellow comrades and kept their minds focused on the liberation cause.
On attainment of independence, Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army on October 19, 1980 as a private solder. He later went to Zimbabwe Military Academy for integration and later to Commando Battalion, where he was involved in the disbandment of the Rhodesian Light Infantry and the formation of the new Commando Battalion. After the successful disbandment of the Rhodesian Light Infantry, he did the first commando selection and training which he passed.
During that time, as the most senior green board officer on training he participated very much in preventing any factional clashes that were likely to occur as a result of the merger of the three warring combatants, namely Zanla, Zipra and the Rhodesian forces.
Following the completion of his commando training, Brig Gen Tanyanyiwa commanded units and formations of the Zimbabwe National Army and distinguished himself in the execution of the noble duty of safeguarding the interest of Zimbabwe.
Thus he was appointed Officer Commanding of Alpha Company at Commando Battalion from February 20, 1981 to November 9, 1982. He was responsible for training all volunteers that were allocated to that company at its formative stages. On November 10, 1982 he was appointed Battalion Second in Command of the Commando Battalion and then Battalion Commander from October 12, 1982 to May 19, 1984.
As the first black Special Forces Commander he was charged with the responsibility of maintaining the standards of the Special Forces, a task he did to his best.
His most contributions during his stint with the Commando Battalion were the introduction of parachute jumping and the reconnaissance training to the commandos.
His intention was to enhance the fighting qualities of a commando and his ideas have paid great results to date. It is through his ideas that the commandos were transformed into a formidable fighting force that it is today. Despite facing a hostile environment which was experienced by then, the late General Officer managed to soldier on and achieve his set goals.
On August 21, 1984 he was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on April 1, 1986. He was then posted to the Zimbabwe Staff College on May 10 1986 and appointed Chief Instructor Junior Staff Course.
He was later promoted to the rank of Colonel on September 1, 1988 and posted to Headquarters 6 Infantry Brigade where he served as the Deputy Commander till May 2, 1989 to February 21, 1990 after which he was appointed Commander 1 Infantry Brigade. In 1992 he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General.
In 1993 he was appointed Brigadier-General Administration Staff at Army Headquarters, a position he held until 2000. He was also instrumental in negotiations for the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement as the head of the Zimbabwe delegation to the Joint Military Commission during the Democratic Republic of Congo campaign from 2000 to 2003.
In 2005 he was posted to the ZDF Headquarters as the Director-General Public Relations before he was deployed to China as Defence Attache of Zimbabwe to that country in January 2006.
Cognisant of his proven and unquestionable loyalty and dedication to serve the nation through hard and trying times during his period of service, the late freedom fighter attended and completed various career courses to enhance his command and administrative skills which include.
Commando Course at Wafawafa in 1980.
Junior Staff Course at the Zimbabwe Staff College in 1981.
Intermediate Staff Course at the Zimbabwe Staff College in 1982.
Command and Staff Course at the Zimbabwe Staff College in 1989.
During his long and illustrious service, the late General Officer was awarded the following medals:
Liberation Medal – for his gallantry and selfless dedication to the liberation of Zimbabwe.
Independence Medal – for his contribution towards the Independence of Zimbabwe.
Ten Years Service Medal – for his immense contribution to the integration, formation and development of the Zimbabwe National Army during the first 10 years of its existence.
Long and Exemplary Service Medal – for 15-year continuous and exemplary service.
Mozambique Campaign Medal – for his contribution towards the restoration of peace and stability in Mozambique.
Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign Medal – for his contribution towards peace and the regard for humanity in the DRC during Operation Sovereign Legitimacy.
The Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit – for his eminent achievement and distinguished service to Zimbabwe or to humanity at large.
His untimely death is very saddening and painful to all freedom fighters and peace-loving Zimbabweans who fought gallantly for the independence of our beloved country Zimbabwe in the highest esteem.
Lala ngohuthula. Zorora murugare
l Compiled by the Army Headquarters Information branch
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