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Bongani Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporter
George Silundika, a man who was a stalwart of the liberation struggle, had a vision of unity of purpose among liberation movements in order to quickly defeat colonialism.
Cde Silundika unfortunately died barely a year after Zimbabwe attained independence on April 9, 1981, suffering a stroke while at work as a Cabinet Minister. He was a member of Zapu’s Central Committee at the time of his death and was buried at the National Heroes Acre.
Today is Unity Day and Zimbabweans are coming together to remember the momentous occasion of the signing of the Unity Accord between PF-Zapu and Zanu (PF).
Cde Silundika’s son, Felix, born on July 31, 1965, nearly four years after the formation of Zapu, remembers vividly, his father’s ethos on unity among nationalist movements as a strategy to fight the colonial regime.
“He and other leaders were of the view that it was important to have a united front and that was how ZPRA came about and also the Patriotic Front. We had to have unity of purpose in order to fight the colonial regime effectively,” said Mr Silundika.
Mr Silundika is the last born in a family of four comprising the first-born Paul (born September 1956), Thembi (January, 4, 1959) and Nomtha (July 27, 1962).
He describes his father as, a unifier and intelligent man.
“He was a kind of father who loved his family very much and wished not only his own children, but his younger siblings to become what they wanted to be. This is the same kind of love he had for his country. He wished that a free Zimbabwe they were fighting for would create the necessary conditions for every citizen to unlock and live up to their full potential. He had the determination to work towards this goal,” said Mr Silundika.
“As a child growing up in Bulilima District we knew only about Zapu. At the time the party operated under the name ANC Zimbabwe. It was the most dominant political force that represented the aspirations of Africans in Rhodesia, at least in that part of the country.”
Mr Silundika said unity was a better pathway so that the country could develop.
“Our leaders explained to us that l think it was indeed a necessary step to take in order to stop the bloodshed in the country. Dr Nkomo explained this to the Zapu membership that there needed to be peace in the country.
“That, said, not all Zapu members joined the new Zanu structures even though they understood the reasons behind the accord. Even the leaders explained then that it was not a permanent solution but a necessary step to give peace a chance,” said Mr Silundika.
Looking at Unity Day, Mr Silundika said it’s a time of reflection and for the youth to be inspired to be leaders in the future.
“I think it should be a day of reflection on our past, also a day of service to our communities. Above all, it should be a day to inspire the youth and empower them to become future leaders who will build a better Zimbabwe that is devoid of tribalism and racism,” said Mr Silundika.
Online Reporter