I had a burning desire to go to Mozambique

JUSTIN SHAWARIRA, whose nom de guerre was Advance K.K. Chimurenga, decided to join the liberation struggle for several reasons, including following his two brothers who had crossed into Mozambique. His siblings had gone to fight for land, better job opportunities and, ultimately, to overthrow the colonial government. This week, he recounts to our Features and Arts Editor PRINCE MUSHAWEVATO how, even with the preferential treatment he received from white employers, he still saw the need to liberate Zimbabwe from minority rule.

******************

Q: Can you start by identifying yourself?

A: My name is Justin Shawarira. I was born at Old Umtali Mission Hospital (now Old Mutare Mission Hospital) on October 12, 1958.

I was born in a family of seven children — Josphat; myself; John; Joe; Revai; Lilian; and the firstborn, Jasmine.

Unfortunately, Josphat and Joe passed away.

I grew up in the Umtali area until my father moved to Odzi, where there was a beautiful school called Raylange Primary. He had secured employment on a nearby farm.

The headmaster at Raylange Primary School was my father’s uncle.

My father was inspired to relocate to Odzi because that is where his father was born.

I enrolled at the school from Sub A up to Grade Five, which was the last grade offered there. Standards were phased out in 1969, and grades were introduced in 1970.

I then moved to Bocha, under Chief Marange, and stayed in an area called Nyika, which was under the leadership of Chief Nyika, the son of Marange.

There was Nyika Primary School and another learning institution in the African purchase areas, reserved for skilled farmers.

These places were under the Mukuni division, and that is where I continued my education, starting Grade Six in 1971.

The following year, I moved from Mukuni to Nyika Primary School due to the considerable distance between my home in Nyika and Mukuni.

I had initially enrolled at the Mukuni School because of its beauty and high academic standards.

However, many learners from Nyika, including those I travelled with, dropped out due to a lack of funds for tuition fees, while others simply failed to proceed because of the low pass rates back then.

The education standards were rigorous, making it difficult for many learners to pass and progress from primary school to secondary school.

I completed Grade Seven at Nyika Primary School, where I was in the same class with Viola Kadzura.

I managed to pass Grade Seven and my father tried his best to secure funds for my secondary education, but was unsuccessful.

I was stuck at home for about two years.

In 1974, I was invited by my brothers who were living in Salisbury (now Harare).

Q: What was the purpose of the invitation?

A: It had become clear that I would not be able to secure funds to continue my education.

My brothers then decided that I should join them in the city and start working.

They were employed by Palte-Harris milling company, which later rebranded to National Foods.

My eldest cousin, William Tandi, who was the son of Janet, my mother’s eldest sister, was a supervisor there.

The other brother, Jacob, worked in the stockfeed manufacturing department. They also invited another brother, Josphat, who also secured employment at the same company.

I did not actively seek employment; rather, employment found me.

To set the record straight, many people mistakenly believe it was easy to find work during the colonial era.

That is incorrect!

Jobs have always been difficult to secure, even in Rhodesia. Employment opportunities, even back then, favoured those with qualifications.

Many blacks faced the same challenges as people do today in securing employment.

When I got employed, I was the youngest at the company.

My job was physically demanding; it involved loading stock and poultry feed into trucks from the manufacturing plants.

It was one of the toughest jobs at the company.

Q: How did you survive the challenging work environment?

A: One day, Edward Harris, the son of the company’s white owner, parked his car while we were working.

He was shocked to see me doing such hard labour at my age.

Curious, he called me over to inquire about my age.

Puzzled by my situation, he consulted with Irvine, a senior manager.

Later, Irvine called me after work to inform me that Edward had instructed him to give me more freedom.

I was no longer bound by fixed working hours and could even miss work without consequences.

Edward had recognised my hard work and dedication, which surpassed that of many senior employees.

He also acknowledged my discipline and promised to transfer me to a different department.

The conversation I had with him was all in English.

Q: How were you introduced to African nationalism?

A: That same year, 1974, I stayed in Magaba, Mbare; Number 11D17, Nenyere Flats.

Only men were allowed to stay in those flats and we were periodically searched by council officials to ensure we had approval cards.

Those without cards were arrested and taken to Matapi Police Station.

I was arrested at one point for not having the card, as I was young.

A number of people shared a single room in a typical barrack-style arrangement.

Political discussions were common in these rooms.

I enjoyed reading and had a keen interest in African political affairs.

However, discussing political issues at that time could lead to arrest.

I remember my father almost got arrested for singing “Tsuro tsuro hwee . . . Nkomo” while we were still in Old Umtali.

He was briefly detained by the police and our home was searched.

Back in Salisbury, I was drawn to the political discussions that were frequently taking place.

I learnt about ZANU and ZAPU, as well as the existence of the ZANLA and ZIPRA fighters.

I also became familiar with some of the commanders who preceded General (Josiah) Tongogara.

During that time, my brother Jacob contacted my other cousin Weston, who was working for Karina Carpets in Mutare.

Weston expressed his desire to join the liberation struggle and cross into Mozambique for training.

In 1975, we received news of Weston’s disappearance and we immediately knew he had crossed the border.

His liberation name was General McDade.

Shortly after, around 1976, Jacob also disappeared.

Before leaving, he asked me to accompany him to St Mary’s in Chitungwiza.

When we arrived there, he went into a shebeen where nationalist politics was a common topic of conversation.

He left me in Chitungwiza, in the shebeen, and went to Mozambique.

One of his friends, a very beautiful lady, took me to her place to rest for the night before I returned to Mbare.

My mind was no longer focused on Salisbury or work.

I wanted to join my brothers in Mozambique. I usually started work at 7am, but that day, I left home around 10am.

I was determined and had now become stubborn.

The spirit of the revolution had gripped me.

Besides, I felt empowered by the freedom I had been given by Edward in our earlier discussion.

 

Next week, Cde Shawarira will recount his dramatic journey to joining the liberation struggle in Mozambique.