adminCde Jimayi Muduviri
I knew and worked with the late national hero Cde (Peter) Chanetsa since 1996 when he was appointed Provincial Governor for Mashonaland West.It was during that time that the country was at crossroads in terms of our history. It was that time when Zimbabwe and its leadership had begun manoeuvres to take what rightfully belonged to us — the land which was in the hands of the few whites for over a century.
It was that time when Zimbabweans collectively said they have had enough of being hewers of wood and drawers of water in their motherland.
Cde Chanetsa was one of the eyes and ears of the President in the provinces and he did his work to the satisfaction of the appointing authority and Zimbabweans at large. His position meant he was on the ground advising the President on developments in the province.
He served during a period which I can say was crucial for defining what we are now calling an empowered nation. There is no doubt that the land is the economy and that land is now firmly in the hands of the majority.
Before that historic land reform exercise, this country was talking about 6 000 large-scale commercial farmers but to date we are talking about 200 000 black farmers.
Today we are talking of moving towards a billion dollars from tobacco farmers which was previously shared by a few whites. This reality in Mashonaland West was a result of Cde Chanetsa’s hard work and dedication to duty as assigned by President Mugabe.
He was one of the most important focal persons who ensured that the land reform in the country, especially in Mashonaland West, moved smoothly despite spirited resistance by enemies of Zimbabwe.
Those people who colonised us later roped some amongst us in the form of MDC who then fronted that anti-Zimbabwe and anti-development agenda.
Cde Chanetsa was very critical in identifying what needed to be done during that time. He would always say let us ensure that as leaders we give people land so that they can be masters of their own destiny. He would always say let us not discriminate: everyone who wants land, let us give him or her land.
Cde Chanetsa was not selective insofar as land allocation was concerned. He facilitated land allocation on the basis that an applicant was Zimbabwean.
The issue of one not being born in Mashonaland West province was neither here nor there; Cde Chanetsa would say “ko kana ari mwana wemu Zimbabwe tomunyima pekurima here?” Apart from him being a politician who contributed to the development of this country, the man was an honest, humble and hard working businessman.
There is no doubt that everything he touched turned into gold. After his experience as Chief of Protocol, we were all confident that in him we had a wise leader who always wanted to see a united Zimbabwe under the able leadership of President Mugabe and our Zanu-PF party.
As a result of his leadership qualities, he reassured those who doubted Government’s commitment to redistribute land: the man would assure everyone that land was our heritage and there was no going back on the distribution of the land.
He was a man of action. Around 2000, I was the Zanu-PF secretary for finance for the province and he would always give us wise counsel which we will miss.
It is sad that the giant is gone. Cde Chanetsa told the beneficiaries of the land reform that Government did not have enough resources to fund their farming, so up to this day most people who own land kept their jobs in town so that they can be able to buy inputs and the results are there for everyone to see.
Our hero was focused and he loved his party. We are all proud of his work as a leader in the province. He ensured that President Mugabe won elections especially after the formation of the MDC. He was a unifier and was committed to the development of the country.
Cde Chanetsa would always emphasise that we must work for the development of Zimbabwe. He was consistent. To some of us he was our mentor and we benefited immensely as a province and as a country.
We want to say thank you Cde Chanetsa, you fought a good fight. Rest in peace our national hero. President Mugabe saw it fit to lay him to rest side-by-side with his war time comrades.
This article is a transcript of an interview by The Sunday Mail Reporter Tinashe Farawo with Cde Jimayi Muduviri. Cde Muduviri is the Business Community of Zimbabwe spokesperson
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