Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
AS Zimbabwe counts down to 46 years of Independence, a sombre cloud hung over Ratanyana community in Matobo District yesterday when the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Albert Nguluvhe, toured the historic battle site, reopening old wounds for families who lost their children during the liberation struggle.
What was meant to be a routine preparatory visit ahead of Independence commemorations instead turned into an emotional pilgrimage, as grieving parents and community members recounted the harrowing events of a battle that claimed four young lives and left scars that have endured for decades.
The Ratanyana battle, etched in the province’s liberation history, is remembered not only for its intensity but for the tragic loss of innocent lives caught in the crossfire during the height of the armed struggle against colonial rule.
Tears rolled down their faces as they told Minister Nguluvhe that their children’s graves need to be immortalised.
Cde Nguluvhe was accompanied by local leaders, war veterans, elderly parents, some leaning on walking sticks and others supported by relatives as the community relived painful memories of the day their children never returned home.
One woman, her voice trembling with emotion, narrated how her toddler was killed during the confrontation.
“We were told they were caught up in the fighting. To this day, I still see his face,” she said, pausing to wipe away tears. “Independence brought us freedom, yes, but it also reminds us of what we lost,” said Ms Ethel Ndlovu.
The visit struck a delicate balance between celebration and remembrance, a reminder that the country’s hard-won Independence came at a heavy cost borne by ordinary Zimbabweans.
Speaking during the tour, Cde Nguluvhe acknowledged the deep pain carried by families, saying their sacrifices remain an integral part of the country’s liberation narrative.
“As we approach Independence Day, we must never forget the price that was paid for the freedom we enjoy today. These families lost their children, their future, so that Zimbabwe could be free,” he said.
Cde Nguluvhe said the Government remains committed to honouring liberation war heroes and ensuring that their stories are preserved for future generations.
He said the emotional carnage highlighted the enduring legacy of the liberation struggle, particularly in rural communities where many battles were fought and where memories remain vivid.
War veterans who accompanied the Minister Nguluvhe also shared their recollections, describing the Ratanyana battle as one of the fiercest encounters in the province, marked by heavy exchanges and civilian casualties.
One veteran, Cde James Dube, said the presence of children in the area at the time made the tragedy even more painful.
“We were fighting for freedom, but war does not choose who it affects. The loss of young lives is something that has stayed with us all these years,” he said.
For many in Matabeleland South, independence is not only a time for celebration but also reflection, a moment to honour both the fallen fighters and innocent civilians who perished during the struggle.
Cde Nguluvhe urged younger generations to learn from the past and safeguard the gains of independence, emphasising unity, peace and development.
“Let us celebrate our independence with pride, but also with remembrance. The stories from places like Ratanyana must continue to be told so that we never lose sight of where we come from,” he said.
For the parents who gathered during the visit, the memories remain as fresh as ever, a painful echo of a distant war that still lingers in their hearts.
“As the national flag is set to be hoisted high in celebration, in Ratanyana, it will flutter alongside silent tears. It will be a tribute to the children whose lives were cut short in the quest for freedom,” said Cde Nguluvhe.
Colletta Dube