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Conrad Mupesa-Mashonaland West Bureau
IN the heart of Mashonaland West Province, the tale of Cde Fani Chikomba, a war veteran and Zanu PF administrator, is a powerful reminder of the arduous journey towards the liberation of Zimbabwe.
For Cde Chikomba, the struggle did not end with independence, it transformed into a battle for respect and recognition within the local government, a realm that had long been dominated by the white minority.
Before Zimbabwe claimed its sovereignty on April 18, 1980, district commissioners across all 55 districts functioned not only as administrative heads, but also as political operatives for Ian Smith’s oppressive regime.
As the nation celebrated what many hailed as its greatest achievement – liberation from colonialism – the new reality was starkly different for those who had fought for freedom.
When Cde Chikomba entered the Makonde district commissioner’s office in Chinhoyi in early 1981, he was met with contempt.
Mr Franc Clinton, the then-commissioner, embodied the racist attitudes of the old guard.
“When I arrived,” Cde Chikomba recalled, “I was treated like an intruder in my own country”.
Denied access to basic resources like an office, a car, and housing, he was determined not to back down.
“Deployed as a Local Government promotion officer by the current Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo, I expected to be welcomed,” he said.
“Instead, after entering Mr Clinton’s office and attempting to take a seat on one of the sofas designated for whites, I was met with furious disdain. The only seating for blacks was a wooden bench”.
Cde Chikomba was one of the 55 Local Government promotion officers appointed by the newly established Zanu PF Government, a move aimed at curbing the ingrained racism within governmental institutions.
Many of these officers were war veterans and former detainees, who had endured rigorous training between June and December 1980 to prepare for this critical mission.
His journey was fuelled by the memories of a brutal five-year conflict, and the scars of war were fresh within him.
Upon arrival at the office, Cde Chikomba handed Clinton his deployment letter, only to be met with a rude dismissal. He was sent back to Harare with no accommodation arrangements, even after being assured otherwise.
However, determination prevailed. Upon returning to Chinhoyi, he discovered a fully furnished office awaiting him – a small but significant victory.
Moreover, he was acutely aware of the stark racial divides still embedded within the office walls.
“I was the only black officer among eight promotion officers. The black staff were largely relegated to menial roles – janitors, cooks, and security guards,” he reflected.
His experiences during those early days would seem unbelievable to the younger generations who grew up in post-independence Zimbabwe.
“I was the sole black member of an exclusive tea club, where I was served in a white cup while others enjoyed their tea in green cups,” he shared.
“It was a blatant act of segregation, and in a fit of defiance, I once seized a green cup, nearly getting the black waiter who served us into trouble.”
But there was more to Cde Chikomba’s responsibilities than tackling racial issues. He was tasked with documenting Clinton’s work behaviour.
“I would draft reports for Clinton’s review and submit them to his secretary for typing, a situation that stirred frustration among the white staff who were not accustomed to this new dynamic.”
Within a mere two years, the landscape of the Local Government department began to shift significantly, transitioning to a predominantly black workforce. Yet, this change was met with resistance from segments of the black population, some of whom still believed that leadership was a privilege reserved for whites.
Cde Chikomba recalled one moment when he used an RF-S vehicle, initially intended for the commissioner, to the curiosity of local villagers.
“Whites struggled to accept us as equals, and were equally sceptical of our roles,” he explained.
Now at 66, Cde Chikomba’s journey began in 1976 at the tender age of 19, fighting in sections of Manica Province.
His story encapsulates the ongoing battle for dignity and belonging in a nation forged in the fires of struggle, reminiscent of the resilience and determination exhibited by those who fought for Zimbabwe’s freedom.
Online Reporter