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Harare Bureau
The nation yesterday commemorated the 34th anniversary of the death of shrewd military strategist and revolutionary icon Cde Josiah Magama Tongogara with Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi saluting the Zanla commander for displaying unparalleled leadership capabilities during the liberation struggle that forced Rhodesians to the negotiating table.
Cde Tongogara died on December 26 1979 in Mozambique, three and half months before the attainment of independence.
In a speech read on his behalf by Air Marshal Perence Shiri, Minister Sekeramayi said the commemorations give Zimbabweans an opportunity to share positive memories of the astute and down-to-earth military strategist whose devotion to the country’s liberation was incontestable.
“It is therefore neccessary that we have this platform today of cherishing and sharing General Tongogara’s positive memories, ambitions and devotion towards the liberation of Zimbabwe. Personally, I also worked with this great man and his life touches me as we travelled the road to the total independence of Zimbabwe together,” Minister Sekeramayi said.
He said Gen Tongogara’s military and political exploits were second to none.
“For many Zimbabweans, particularly those that participated in the liberation struggle, the name Tongogara was synonymous with Zanla’s successful prosecution of the liberation struggle. At the inaugural commemorations held last year, His Excellency President Mugabe explicitly indicated that Cde Tongo envisioned a Zimbabwe that is free and unshackled by settler colonial racism. A Zimbabwe of equals in all spheres of human effort,” Minister Sekeramayi said.
He said plans to rename King George VI Barracks to Tongogara Barracks were at an advanced stage.
Last year Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga proposed the renaming of KGVI to Tongogara Barracks in recognition of Gen Tongogara’s contribution to the liberation war.
“It is very unfortunate that today’s commemorations are being held before the final decision is made but Iam quite positive that the proposal that was made by Gen Chiwenga will see the light of the day,” Minister Sekeramayi said.
This year’s commemorations were held at the KGVI with senior Government officials, among them Foreign Affairs Minister Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, his deputy Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa, and service chiefs joining the Tongogara family in remembering Gen Tongogara.
Minister Sekeramayi suggested that the commemorations be held a week or month before December 26 to avoid a clash with the festive season when most people would be with their families.
He said the Josiah Magama Tongogara Legacy Foundation was working flat out to put up a cenotaph at the accident site that claimed the life of Gen Tongogara in recognition of “this great man, great fighter, great strategist and visionary leader.
“We as a ministry support the initiative. As Government we may also want to recognise the great work by the Mozambican locals who have built a pole and dagga clinic at the accident site in memory of Cde Tongo by building a proper clinic and drilling a borehole which the foundation is contemplating,” Minister Sekeramayi said.
The foundation intends to establish at least a centre in each province for educating and preparing young Zimbabweans for leadership roles.
The foundation, chaired by Dr Simbi Mubako, is running a scholarship programme targetting the disadvantaged and yesterday gave scholarships to the underprivileged in the country’s 10 provinces.
Major General Douglas Nyikayaramba was among the service chiefs who graced the occasion and described Cde Tongogara as a legendary freedom fighter.
“Today we are gathered here once again to celebrate the life of a legendary freedom fighter, a huge towering figure, a gigantic man who could easily send shivers down the enemy spine,” he said.
Maj Gen Nyikayaramba said Cde Tongo was an unselfish leader and commander of rare military qualities who wanted Zimbabwe independent at all cost.
“His death was as if the world had come to an end. Losing such a commander was very difficult to fathom,” he said.
Dr Mubako described December 26 as a day of dedication to the objectives for which Cde Tongogara fought for and for which he died.
“We need to celebrate the greatness of Gen Tongogara together with the family. We believe we should join them every year on this particular day to perpetuate the objectives for which Gen Tongogara sacrificed his life,” he said.
The family thanked Zimbabweans for remembering Gen Tongogara and hopes KGVI would soon be renamed Tongogara Barracks in honour of the decorated national hero.
Cde Tongogara was appointed military commander of Zanla and chairman of the High Command in 1972 and in 1973 he became Chief of Defence in Dare reChimurenga, the Zanu Supreme Council directing prosecution of the war.
He died in a car accident on December 26, 1979.
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