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On this day, October 11, 1999, Sikwili Moyo died of liver complications.
In 1948, Sikwili Moyo, in collaboration with other labour leaders including Benjamin Burombo, Masotsha Ndlovu, Grey Mabhalane Bango, Mkushi Khumalo, Reuben Jamela and Jason Moyo organised probably the biggest ever recorded strike in the history of colonial Southern Rhodesia.
The strike marked the turning point in the nationalist struggle. It became clear to the trade unionists that the grievances of black people could only be addressed by political means.
In 1957, the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress was formed and banned in the same year which saw Moyo, among the leadership of the ANC, jailed. On his release he was an active member of successor political parties like the NDP and Zapu.
In September 1962, Moyo left for Tanzania, en route to Ghana, for military training. Acting as a carrier of weapons into Zambia from Tanzania, he was arrested at Kapiri Mposhi and served a one-year jail term.
Recalled from the front, he was seconded for further military training in the Soviet Union and on his return in 1973, he was elected into the Revolutionary Council of the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army. He was a Patriotic Front delegate at the Lancaster House talks in 1979.
In 1981 he was elected Member of Parliament for Gwanda. Between 1987 until the time of his death, he was a Central Committee member of the united Zanu-PF as well as a non-Constituency Member of Parliament.
(c) A Guide to Heroes Acre
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