Online Reporter
AS Zimbabwe prepares to mark Independence Day on 18 April, with less than three months remaining, the selection of Maphisa Growth Point as this year’s venue has stirred deep memories for Brigadier-General (Retired) Abel Mazinyane, a veteran of the liberation struggle. For Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mazinyane, the celebrations will be more than a national event; they will represent a deeply personal homecoming.
During the armed struggle, he served as Chief of Military Intelligence for the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZPRA). Following Independence in 1980, he was deployed in 1982 as Commanding Officer of 1:7 Battalion, at a time when the country’s institutions were still in their formative stages. Together with other commanders, he was tasked with nurturing the nation’s security apparatus, a responsibility he believes they carried out diligently.
His battalion was stationed alongside its sister formation, 1:8 Battalion, just a few kilometres from what is now Maphisa Growth Point. In those early years, the area was little more than a modest service centre, a stark contrast to the bustling growth point it has since become. The landscape was markedly different, with the most notable facilities being the Catholic-run Minda Girls’ High School, Antelope Hospital and the Tilco Irrigation Scheme, now known as the Arda Maphisa Irrigation Scheme.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mazinyane praised the authorities for decentralising national events and taking them to communities that played a critical role during the liberation struggle. He believes Matobo carries immense historical and military significance.
He noted that, under the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa, the devolution of national events, a departure from the norm during the First Republic reflects Government’s commitment to honouring sacrifices made by people across different regions and reminding the nation of its origins.
For Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mazinyane, the Independence Day celebrations in Maphisa will not only commemorate Zimbabwe’s hard-won freedom, but will also stand as a testament to the transformation of once-remote service centres into vibrant hubs of development, a living reflection of the promise of Independence.
On Thursday last week, our Assistant Editor, Mkhululi Sibanda (MS), caught up with Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mazinyane, who spoke about the significance of hosting the celebrations in Maphisa. Below are excerpts from the interview.
MS: Brigadier-General Mazinyane, you worked in Maphisa during the early years of Independence. What is the significance of Maphisa hosting the country’s national Independence Day celebrations this year?
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mazinyane: From both a military and political point of view, it is the most appropriate choice. There are many memories associated with Matobo District, both during the fight for our independence and during the formation of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). Matobo produced nationalists who were at the forefront of the liberation struggle, such as the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, his brother Stephen Jeqe Nkomo, Jason Ziyapapa Moyo the Maphendukas, Vote Moyo, Bitwell and Soneni, who were senior commanders in ZPRA, among many others.
At Independence, two battalions of One Brigade, 1:7 and 1:8 were stationed near Maphisa. They were deployed side by side, separated only by a fence, and were located between Zamanyoni and Bhalagwe mountains. At the time, One Brigade, which covers the entire Matabeleland region, had nine battalions. What is interesting is that the battalions deployed to Matabeleland South were all based at Maphisa.
MS: When were you deployed to Maphisa?
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mazinyane: I was deployed as the Commanding Officer of 1:7 Battalion in 1982, coming from Four Brigade in Masvingo. I took over from a coloured comrade, Press, an ex-ZPRA cadre who had been trained in Angola. In fact, both battalions were largely made up of comrades trained in Angola, those from the ZPRA side. My counterpart across the fence, the commander of 1:8 Battalion, was Lieutenant-Colonel Mutana, an ex-Zanla cadre. He was later redeployed and succeeded by Cde Fingi. These two battalions were composed of former ZPRA and Zanla fighters; there were no former Rhodesian forces among us.
MS: How were the other battalions composed?
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mazinyane: The first battalion of the brigade, 1:1 Battalion at Imbizo, was entirely made up of former Rhodesian African Rifles (RAR) soldiers. However, former ZPRA and Zanla guerrillas were attached there as clerks.
This was a strategic move aimed at giving the guerrillas an appreciation of army administration. Other battalions, 1:2, 1:3, 1:6 and 1:9 were stationed at Ntabazinduna. The 1:6 Battalion was under the command of Cde Barnabas Sibanda, now well known for the Zimcopter project. The 1:5 Battalion was based in Hwange under the command of the late Brigadier-General, a National Hero who later served in the Prisons Service while 1:4 was based in Nkayi. At the time, One Brigade was commanded by the current Vice-President, General Constantino Chiwenga, and deputised by Colonel Dans from the former Rhodesian Army. General Chiwenga had taken over from Brigadier Shutte of the Rhodesian Army.
MS: The country had just emerged from the armed liberation struggle. How was your relationship with the villagers?
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mazinyane: We enjoyed an excellent relationship with the local communities. We even co-opted some locals as members of our officers’ mess. Chiefs Bhidi and Fuyana, as well as Cde Stephen Jeqe Nkomo, who ran a filling station at Maphisa, were regular visitors. We also allowed villagers to collect leftovers to feed their pigs. To help my troops build strong rapport and fully integrate, I encouraged soldiers from Matabeleland to take their colleagues to their rural homes during leave. Myself, I come from Midlands. Former ZPRA guerrillas invited former Zanla comrades to their homes, and some Zanla cadres even visited areas as far as Nkayi, while others went to nearby villages.
MS: How is Maphisa different from other centres in Matabeleland South, the province of the Independence Day celebrations?
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mazinyane: Maphisa is easily accessible and centrally located in Matabeleland South, making it a good choice by Government. Matobo or Kezi District, is also home to many nationalists like I said above. What should be noted is that in Kezi, almost every homestead had a son or daughter who took part in the armed struggle.
As a result, the people of Kezi strongly supported the nationalist forces, both ZPRA and ZANLA, which were deployed in the area. ZANLA was mainly deployed in Matobo from the beginning of 1979. There were very few Rhodesian collaborators in the villages because sons and daughters had joined the struggle in large numbers. Kezi therefore became a key corridor for nationalist forces and even facilitated the movement of South Africa’s MK fighters as they transited towards South Africa.
