adminNyanga Correspondent
CELEBRATED Nyanga war veteran, Cde Joseph Gwenzi, who died early this week and declared a liberation war hero, was laid to rest at his rural home in Nyadowa area on Tuesday. Thousands thronged Nyabanga Village to pay their last respects to this astute fighter, who succumbed to a heart disease which had tormented him for four years.Born on August 7, 1952 at Mt Selinda in Chipinge, Cde Gwenzi left his job in Mutare to join the armed struggle in Mozambique in 1975.
He stayed at Chibawawa Base before being transferred to Tanzania for training at Machingwe Training Base. He was trained for a year and his training included special course of 12-7 anti-air machine gun handling.
In 1977, armed with warfare skills, he came back to Zimbabwe and operated in Chitepo Sect as a section commander in Sabvure, Nyakomba, Nyadowa, Nyamaropa, Regina, Tombo and Nyatate.
Cde Gwenzi left a strong message in his memoir which demonstrates his love for this country, which reads: “We shall fight those who want to return the land to the enemy. We shall rub all the strategies of the enemy until we reach our death day. I Joseph Gwenzi will die, but my words shall live.”
Meanwhile, Nyanga District War Veterans Association chairperson, Cde Teddy Chitsumba, has bemoaned the poor state of the district heroes’ shrine and called for its refurbishment.
Cde Chitsumba said people should not think of heroes only on Heroes’ Day, but cherish their contributions in ensuring the freedom and peace everyone enjoys in Zimbabwe.
Speaking on the sidelines of Cde Gwenzi’s burial, Cde Chitsumba, said: “Comparing with other district heroes’ shrines, ours is not up to standard. There is nothing to show that this is a heroes’ shrine- where people who liberated this country from bondage are resting. Moreover, this place is under the Department of National Museums and Monuments and its state does not reflect that. As locals we should find something to do about it.”
The war veterans proposed that A1 and A2 farmers who benefited from the land reform programme and other stakeholders should pool resources together to refurbish the shrines.
A total of 47 heroes and heroines are buried at the shrine.
Online Reporter