Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
AFTER joining the liberation struggle at the tender age of 14, Cde Rosemary Mzilethi (née Sebatha) had little idea of what awaited her in Zambia where she arrived for military training. She faced death many times but lived to witness a free Zimbabwe.
Reflecting on her experiences, Cde Mzilethi asserts that while the war was gruelling, Independence is indeed sweet.
Having left her home with two siblings, she expressed immense joy at returning to an independent Zimbabwe with them all alive. In a recent conversation at her Nketa 8 home in Bulawayo, she shared the fruits of Independence decades after the war ended. While she acknowledges some ongoing challenges, she emphasises that they are pale in comparison to the benefits of liberation.
“It was a joy to return home alive. I joined the Zimbabwe National Army in the Medical Directorate as a typist after completing my course at Ranch House College under the Education Company. I rose through the ranks and was posted to Bulawayo at One Brigade. Here, I realised that the country was genuinely committed to women’s empowerment; there was no segregation, and promotions were based on merit,” she recalled.
Known affectionately as Tshanana Senderera due to her small stature, Cde Mzilethi appreciated the newfound freedom of movement that came with independence.
“As a child, we were aware that no black person could enter Miekles Departmental Store; it was strictly for white people. The same restrictions applied to hotels, bars, and schools. Independence changed all that, granting us the freedom to go anywhere in Zimbabwe. We can now choose schools for our children and shop without limitations.
Prominent figures like Cde Joice Mujuru, who became Vice-President, illustrate how Independence allowed women to be recognised for their capabilities rather than their gender,” she said.
She believes that the voices of women have been amplified, underscoring their significance in society.
On the education front, Cde Mzilethi noted that independence saw the construction of many schools and hospitals, enhancing access to healthcare and education.
“We witnessed a significant increase in the number of schools after 1980, and healthcare facilities have proliferated.
Recently, I travelled along the Beitbridge highway, which is now well-maintained — something that was unimaginable before. Owning a house in the city was a distant dream for black people, but today, we can proudly claim homeownership in a free Zimbabwe. If young people focus on their goals, they, too, can achieve homeownership at a young age,” she remarked.
While acknowledging the infrastructure improvements and social advancements post-independence as significant achievements of the liberation struggle, she expressed concern that many young people fail to fully appreciate these gains and the sacrifices made for them.
“The training for war was incredibly challenging; we lost many comrades who dreamt of a liberated Zimbabwe. It saddens me that some young people trivialise our struggle. They laugh and say things like ‘lilibisele lapha elalithatha khona siyelithatha thina’ without understanding the enormity of our sacrifices. We, as war veterans, are actively working to educate them about the importance of protecting and improving the gains of our struggle,” she explained.
Cde Mzilethi, along with other survivors, engages youth through residents’ associations in various communities to remind them of the difficulties of the past and encourage them to play a role in preserving the liberation legacy.
“They need to grasp the significance of Independence and recognize it as an important day on our national holiday calendar. It’s not just another day; it’s a reminder of our journey to freedom. How many of them would have had the courage to fight in the war? We strive to instil in them the importance of preserving this legacy,” she emphasised.
A recipient of the Government’s $50 000 payout to war veterans in 1997, Cde Mzilethi attempted to invest her money but faced hurdles after becoming widowed, leading to the eventual folding of her business venture.
Her journey into the struggle began abruptly when she was taken from school, marking a turning point in her life.
“I joined the war in 1977 at just 14 years old while in Form One. One evening, as we were preparing for evening prayers at Manama Secondary School, guerrillas arrived unexpectedly. We were instructed to obtain shoes from local shops in Gwanda because we were in slippers. After a long night of walking, we crossed the border into Botswana,” she shared.
Initially, their parents were misinformed that the children were in Francistown and were called to retrieve them.
However, she and her peers refused to return home and were among the first cohort to be trained at Mkushi.
Tragically, they experienced loss during the war, particularly on October 19, 1978, when they were bombed, resulting in the deaths of many.
“Our base was located dangerously close to the Mkushi River, which was home to crocodiles. On that fateful day, many ran into the water to escape the bombing and were either killed by the crocodiles or shot. A few managed to hide in the water until nightfall and survived,” she recounted.
Her time in Zambia was fraught with struggles, including long periods without food.
“On many occasions, food supplies would arrive but would be miles away from the camp, forcing us to walk to retrieve it. Often, people fainted from hunger while trying to carry bags of food. Even after we received supplies, we were too weak to eat, our throats too dry and painful to swallow. The suffering was immense, but we persevered to see an Independent Zimbabwe,” she concluded. -@NyembeziMu
