dyton mupawaenda
Forward Nyanyiwa in DUBLIN, Ireland
The spacious air-conditioned room looked more of a military museum than a private residence.
Rhodesian flags and banners hung on the walls while portraits of Cecil John Rhodes and Ian Smith completed the rare spectacle. This is Rhodesian paraphernalia.
In my quest to retrace Zimbabwe’s liberation history, l have, over the years managed to break the closely and secretively-knit web of the Rhodesian Veterans Association.
This is an association which was formed by die-hard former colonial masters to remember and commemorate former Rhodesian fighters’ nostalgic years in the bush war with Zimbabwe’s liberation fighters.
A close source-cum-friend and former Rhodie, born and bred in the then town of Gwelo (Gweru), made it possible for me to get inside their circle and gather the information he believes l will never find anywhere.
The former Rhodesian fighters are surprisingly still active 43 years after losing the war to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. They still gather and exchange notes with a remote anticipation that one day, they will come back to the land mass between Zambezi and Limpopo rivers.
Meetings are held in England and Australia where the association is based.
It was during one such visit to their monthly meetings that a topical conversation got me interested. It happened few days after President Mnangagwa announced his Cabinet following his victory in the August 23 Harmonised Elections.
“This Chris (Mutsvangwa) is back again!” said one tall Rhodesian veteran as he threw a suspicious look towards my corner.
“He is a problem, he talks too much. I think he is their only weapon. This guy always throws spanners in our work,” the miffed man added.
It was that time it dawned on me that a familiar song was playing since l had entered the room. I have heard the song playing every time l have attended their meetings.
The 1973 pop song “Rhodesians Never Die” composed and recorded by Rhodesian songwriter Clem Tholet from the album “Songs of Love and War” had been their signature soundtrack each time they gather.
Surely these people never die!
For close to half an hour before they had their indaba, their conversation centred on Zimbabwe’s new Cabinet and particularly, cde Chris Mutsvangwa and his ministry.
That got me thinking.
But why him? Why would these men dwell on Zimbabwe’s ministerial appointments?
President Mnangagwa did what the doctor ordered when he picked his team of ministers, mixing experience with youth as he plot to bring back the good fortunes for Zimbabwe.
Astute leadership is quintessential when President Mnangagwa makes his appointments. Such rare but significant qualities ensure Government’s objectives are fully met, hence making Cde Mutsvangwa, whose war name is Cde Che, to the War Veterans of the Liberation Struggle ministry, is not only sound, but wise to strategically uphold the livelihoods of liberation struggle combatants.
During the time of the late former President Robert Mugabe, Cde Mutsvangwa was assigned to oversee the same ministry, a choice that automatically justifies why even today he remains the pillar of the nation’s war veterans.
Besides focusing on their welfare, the country’s surviving heroes remain the cornerstone of sovereignty. In the wake of negative foreign machinations by erstwhile colonial masters, who have brazenly embarked on a regime change agenda since the land reform programme, it is the stature, charisma and resolute characteristics of Mutsvangwa that can equally match those miscalculated and misplaced manoeuvres.
Cde Mutsvangwa lectured at Zanu PF’s School of Ideology soon after he was injured during the war, imparting patriotic values that safeguard national integrity.
He has continuously caused panic among western-sponsored puppets internally and outside Zimbabwe. He is a force to reckon with regionally and internationally. Mutsvangwa is fearless and can face ravaging political storms until they subside.
This links him well with war veterans, who have been clear in their standing from day one, declaring Zimbabwe will never be a colony again. This mantra cannot be sustained by cowards who tremble upon imagining there could be an earth-shattering quake in the next century.
Cde Mutsvangwa walks his talk and stands firm on significant issues, especially those related to security, as well as those that recognise war veterans as the nation’s political bedrock.
Cde Che, having worked as an ambassador to China before, a country that played an integral role in Zimbabwe’s Chimurenga, is well-informed and positioned to tackle constraints that war veterans encounter on a daily basis. He is rooted in the ethos of liberation war ideology; he exudes the personality and character of an arbiter capable of negotiating with the President on any matter, eventually bringing happiness to the populace he represents.
Lest traitors forget: the liberation war fought to enable Zimbabweans get land. The precious land remains a thorn to many imperialist representatives.
As a veteran, Mutsvangwa understands the need for war veterans to have food on the table. He clearly understands their children are well catered for. Only an organic mind-set can institute mechanisms and policies that lead to the attainment of such goals.
The ministry is in safe hands, the nation is protected, the world will appreciate the way Zimbabwe regards its fighters. For him, a mammoth task lies ahead.
Empowerment of the combatants, just as had been initiated at independence should be Mutsvangwa’s major task to bring happiness to the majority of them.
Long term projects and opportunities to partner investors should also top Mutsvangwa’s list for the veterans’ benefits. Some of the former fighters are beyond the working age and might find it difficult to participate fully hence the need to factor in their families and children.
Mutsvangwa must spearhead a drive to help the families of those departed and bring in their families in an effort to retain respect and honour to our war veterans.
While the veterans have different classifications, from provincial to national heroes, their welfare should be uniform as it was during the war. A sense of belonging and respect should be cultivated back to these precious group of our society.
President Mnangagwa has made it clear that the Second Republic is on the track to bring back Zimbabwe to its former self as evidenced by his works since assuming office in 2017. War veterans should not be left behind.
The minister should now engage ZNLWVA and hit the ground running in this aspect.
As a united constituency, there is glitter and hope the newly-appointed minister will deliver and make President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 a possibility.
Online Reporter