Our training was dictated by intelligence reports

This week, CDE HUMPHREY MAKUYANA, who used the nom de guerre Kidd Kanyau during the war of liberation, concludes his narration by discussing the complex strategies of survival and adaptation in the immediate aftermath of independence in 1980. He tells our Society Editor PRINCE MUSHAWEVATO how liberation fighters transitioned from the bush to the multifaceted challenges of building a new, independent Zimbabwe.

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Q: Picking up from where we left off, are you happy or satisfied with your contribution to the story of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle?

A: Zimbabwe is sacred; it was won through courage and collective action. I urge all generations born after independence to always remember that their freedom was secured by young people, many of whom were barely out of their teens.

They should appreciate what the war veterans did and not take it lightly. The freedom they enjoy today came at a significant cost. They must appreciate and preserve that.

To answer your question, I have no regrets about being part of Zimbabwe’s liberation journey. I always ask myself: If I had not participated, whom would I have expected to do so on my behalf? There were others of my age who chose not to go. Thus, I feel it was a privilege and an honour to serve my country.

While our personal advancement — such as going to school and attaining qualifications — was delayed, we simply waited and took up those opportunities after independence. Perhaps our only regret following 1980 is that we let it go.

We did not continue to participate actively in politics. Many of us concentrated too much on the military side and consequently missed certain opportunities.

In some instances, we simply did not qualify for influential Government positions, such as becoming ministers, because we had dropped out of school as early as Form Two. However, I believe the process was fair, which is why we were eventually encouraged to return to school.

Q: Please, carry on.

A: Our military comprised experienced cadres from diverse training backgrounds, which helped us not only win the war but also establish effective systems after the struggle. Apart from the Nachingwea team I mentioned previously, we had Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) cadres who trained in Angola and Russia.

Additionally, the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) utilised other training establishments in places like Libya, Syria and China.

These offered specialist training. Syria focused on intelligence, while Libya specialised in commando-style operations. China focused on command and control — which is where Cde Josiah Tongogara and others trained — while Tanzania focused on training the main body of fighters. I am immensely proud to have been part of that history.

Q: Given your experience as an instructor, can you briefly explain the changes you witnessed on the battlefront?

A: As I hinted earlier, the shifting nature of the conflict — specifically the increase in recruits and reinforcements being deployed — necessitated a change in tactics. We began fighting in larger groups, such as platoons and companies. This shift required us to adapt our training scenarios; recruits had to be taught how to operate within these larger formations.

We also advanced our weaponry and tactics accordingly. For air defence, we moved from training on two-barrel systems to four-barrel ones. We also increased our use of recoilless rifles. As our weaponry became more sophisticated, we began training regular officer cadets to command those platoons.

Additionally, we trained non-commissioned officers to complement this new setup and implement the tactical changes.

Ultimately, our training was dictated by intelligence reports and the evolving movement in the field; the realities of the battlefield theatre suggested these changes and we responded accordingly.

Q: As we conclude our interview, can you take us through the stages leading to independence and the period immediately after?

A: When we were informed of the Lancaster House Agreement in October, I was still in Tanzania. We waited for the final outcome in December. I left Tanzania for Mozambique in early November, while some stayed behind to clean up the camps. I went to Mavonde shortly after the infamous Mavonde attack — often referred to on ZTV as the “Mavonde/Monte Cassino Battle”.

We remained there throughout November. I was still there when Cde Josiah Tongogara died on December 26. It was deeply painful. Everyone was waiting to go home, and we had been expecting him to come and address us. We were a contingent of 4 000 men from Tanzania and the news was devastating.

General Nhongo (Solomon Mujuru) eventually arrived to confirm what had happened. There was mourning in the camp, but because we were still in the bush, we remained vigilant.

From Mavonde, I crossed back into Zimbabwe to Foxtrot Assembly Point (Dzapasi). This was the largest assembly point in the country, holding the largest ZANLA contingent — nearly 20 000 men and women. Our headquarters was stationed at Chiurwi Primary School.

Q: How much space did you occupy at Dzapasi Assembly Point?

A: I believe the area we occupied at Foxtrot Assembly Point covered about 10 square kilometres. From there, I was transferred to Delta Assembly Point. As an instructor, I was tasked with preparing the fighters for independence. ZANLA was required to contribute to the first-ever military parade, so I was deployed to various bases to teach drill.

I was posted to Delta Dendera in Magunje and later to JOC, Mutoko, where we integrated fighters who had returned from specialised police training in Libya and Yugoslavia.

From there, I went to Goromonzi. Immediately after independence, I was sent to Romania with other officers for further training to prepare for our integration into the Zimbabwe National Army.

I was in Romania during the Ceaușescu era, from February to September 1981. Upon my return, I was stationed at Chitungwiza, which was the final assembly point.

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Q: What happened afterwards?

A: I was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army in September 1981 as a private soldier. Shortly after, I decided I wanted to go home. I was familiar with the military hierarchy and felt I had done my part; returning home to resume my education was my dream. My father agreed, but the late Air Marshal Perrance Shiri and others refused to let me leave. I argued that as a private soldier there was no reason for me to stay.

During our time in Romania, others — such as Brigadier-General Bonyongwe, who was one of the youngest lieutenant-colonels in the army in 1981— had already become senior officers.

I saw men like Lifa, Mthetwa, Mtisi and Gopane commissioned as officers and having trained alongside them as a cadet, I knew what it meant to hold that rank. I refused to remain a private.

I eventually ran away to Mufakose, where my uncle bought me a school uniform so I could enrol at Mufakose High. However, Shiri and others tracked me down and picked me up. They had even looked for me in Nyanga before finding me in Mufakose.

I was taken by train to Llewellyn Barracks in Bulawayo for an officer selection board. They told me I was needed. In December 1981, I was commissioned as a lieutenant and officially returned to the army. I continued to serve, but I never gave up on my education.

I began corresponding and studying independently. At the time, promotions under General Nhongo favoured those with Ordinary Levels, which put some of us at a disadvantage. Fortunately, the army established the Army School of Education at 2 Brigade for Ordinary and Advanced Level studies. I attended from 1990 to 1992, passing both levels. I went on to pursue a CIS qualification, a Bachelor of Accountancy and later a Master’s degree. I am currently pursuing my PhD.

Q: Are you still involved in active military activities?

A: Not extensively. I retired in 2004 with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In the army, once you reach the rank of major, the law automatically places you on the army reserve upon retirement. You are bound by the Defence Act.

You remain a member of the defence forces and part of the commander’s pool. Whenever you are needed, you are called up.

Occasionally, you can be called for active reserve service, which can involve deployments, teaching or other tasks as assigned by the commander.

This is why I mentioned earlier that it is professionally improper to boast about having trained someone who is now a general; it can be seen as belittling.

In conclusion, I believe it is vital to respect our war veterans.

They played a monumental role in liberating this country.

These veterans never demanded special treatment; simple appreciation is an honour they all deserve. As a nation, we must find ways to honour them.