Online Reporter
Ray Bande in KATANDIKA, Mozambique
THE uninformed call to let the country go back to the colonial era and have youths restart the liberation war can only be said by people who do not know the brutal atrocities committed by the colonial regime, Vice President Kembo Mohadi has said.
Vice President Mohadi made the remarks in an address during the tour of Nyadzonia Shrine here in Katandika District of Manica Province in Mozambique.
VP Mohadi called for the liberation war history to be preached consistently to the younger generation to inculcate a deep sense of patriotism.
In a touchy moment of political consciousness imparted to some young officials from his office who are part of this Government excusion, the Vice President said the need to have the brutal atrocities committed by the colonial regime be preached consistently to the younger generation to inculcate a deep sense of patriotism and a sense of responsibility.
“When you look at these mass graves, it is difficult to imagine that people were killed in numbers like this. It is painful. It all goes to show how brutal the colonial regime was. You, young people, especially all those below the age of 50, you really need to learn about this and take it seriously. Lack of that understanding and knowledge has left some of you calling on the return to colonial era so that you can start the liberation war again. It is sad, to say the least.
“The story of the liberation war must be told now and again to all Zimbabweans. It must be talked about in all social spaces regularly so that our young ones can understand what we mean when we say this country’s liberation war was nourished by human blood. This is what we mean.
“If this had happened in Europe it would be an everyday song. Look at how the Holocaust, the German attack on Jews. Up to this day they are still talking about it like it happened yesterday. This is how we should make our own war for independence a crucial story. Let us not be brainwashed into thinking that this is not important,” said Vice President Mohadi.
Vice President Mohadi arrived in Chimoio, Mozambique today and kick-started his tour of liberation war heritage sites with the tour of Nyadzonia Shrine.
He is set to tour the Chimoio and Doroei Shrines tomorrow.
Vice President Mohadi is assessing liberation war shrines in neighbouring countries and take corrective action where necessary, for the departed freedom fighters to rest in peace.
The Rhodesian regime launched air and ground strikes against the country’s liberation forces and their camps and against refugee camps in neighbouring countries and many of those killed in these attacks were buried in those countries.
VP Mohadi is coming from a similar visit to Tanzania, which was preceded by visits to Zambia and Angola.
The visit is part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to document and preserve the legacy of the liberation struggle of fighters and honour fallen heroes and heroines buried in foreign lands.
In Chimoio, the shrine was a training camp for ZANLA armed forces during the liberation struggle where over 1 000 people lost their lives while over 1 800 people also perished when the Rhodesian forces attacked Nyadzonia Refugee Camp.
Doroei Refugee Camp was established on Kaitano Farm to accommodate survivors of the brutal Nyadzonia massarce.
To date, remains of about 900 people are still lying in unmarked graves at Doroei.
