adminalways remember the past and teach children about their history to safeguard the gains of the liberation struggle.
Cde Chinake said this while officiating at the inaugural Kangara Base massacre commemorations held at Kangara Village in Uzumba last week on the death of 49 freedom fighters, war collaborators and villagers on May 14, 1979.
“We have gathered here today just before we commemorate Heroes Day to pay our respects to those that perished on that fateful day.
“Some were executed while unarmed and this shows how brutal the Smith regime was. We cannot forget about that day and many others that occurred elsewhere in the country.
“We should teach our children about the liberation war so that they appreciate where we came from and where we are going,” he said.
Cde Chinake urged Zanu-PF supporters to work for the good of the party and desist from fighting for positions.
“When we went to war it was for the benefit of the country and the masses. Today you should also ask yourselves what you have done to uplift the party and the country.
“We do not want people who just want positions without doing anything for the party,” Cde Chinake said.
He took a swipe at the MDC-T for pursuing British interests that are against the aspirations of the majority.
Cde Chinake castigated the British for continuously meddling in Zimbabwe’s inte-rnal affairs and dismissed speculation in some quarters that President Mugabe would be toppled in uprisings similar to ones in North Africa and the Middle East.
Speaking at the same occasion, Uzumba House of Assembly representative Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa urged Zimbabweans to use their land and resources productively to counter the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
“We are happy that we are gathered here to commemorate the sacrifice of those that perished on that day.
“We should not forget where we came from because it is saddening to see people deviating from the goals of the struggle.
“What we should be doing now is to work towards development and uplift the standards of living of our people, we do not have to be poor with all the resources that we have,” he said.
Cde Mudarikwa praised the people from Uzumba for remaining resolute behind Zanu- PF and the ideals of the liberation struggle.
A representative of the families that lost their relatives on the fateful day, Mr Samuel Kupa thanked Cde Mudarikwa for organising the event.
“Today is an important day for us who lost our loved ones. I lost my father and mother on that day and there are others who also lost their loved ones.
“We hope this will become an annual event,” he said.
The Ian Smith regime attacked the villagers, some of whom were at a beer drink on May 14 using three helicopters and napalm bombs. The attack lasted for a day and half and some of those that survived the attack where executed by the regime’s soldiers.
Online Reporter