adminTHE contribution made by Chief Rekai Tangwena in liberating the country is monumental.
A resolute community leader who resisted eviction by the settler regime from his area, the story of the Chimurenga is not complete without making reference to the role played by the late chief.
Senator Tangwena died at the age of 74 after a short illness. He was Chief of the Tangwena people of Nyanga who resisted removal from their land in the Gaerezi area during the illegal Smith regime era.
What most people remember with pride and joy is perhaps Cde Tangwena’s series of battles with the Smith regime for the control of the Gaerezi Ranch and its people. All attempts to break his iron will, all efforts to terrorise the old man and his flock were futile.
He argued that land was God-given and sanctified by ancestral occupation and heritage. For this reason Cde Tangwena resisted torture and arrest used as instruments to force him off Gaerezi Ranch.
He started his revolutionary activities as a creation to the colonial regime’s autocratic decisions not to recognise him as the chief of his people; and to evict him and his people from their lands.
He refused to move. When tractors and bulldozers, supported by troops, were sent to demolish all his villages, he went into the bush and mountains to resist. At that point he contacted Cde Herbert Chitepo.
Cde Tangwena helped the President, Cde Mugabe, and Cde Edgar Tekere, to cross over the border to Mozambique. The Tangwena people also helped thousands of boys and girls cross over, too, and fed, sheltered and clothed our freedom fighters.
A fearless, clear-visioned and out spoken critic of oppression, Cde Tangwena became a senator in March, 1980 and despite his age, revealed a remarkable presence of mind as well as a strong commitment to unity and national welfare. Cde Tangwena died on June 10, and was buried on June 16, 1984.
Online Reporter