Robert Gumbo the unsung hero

Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE late liberation war hero, Cde Robert “Kwelekwele” Gumbo, has been described as a man who never danced to his own drum and remained sociable, humble, approachable and down to earth despite having performed a very important and risky role during Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence.
Cde Gumbo in 1975 executed a risky assignment with distinction, helping the most wanted men in Rhodesia — the late former President, Cde Robert Mugabe and Cde Edgar Tekere cross into Mozambique to lead and direct the armed struggle. Cdes Mugabe and Tekere had just been released from long detention, and the Rhodesian Forces were keeping a close eye on them, and the worst thing they would have allowed is to let the two nationalists reconnect with their peers in Mozambique.
However, the two determined to free their motherland, hatched a plan to escape from then Salisbury (Harare) to Mozambique, and a then 19-year-old Cde Gumbo was chosen to lead the two nationalists to Rusape where he handed them to other comrades who escorted them to Chief Tangwena before crossing into Mozambique.
Cde Gumbo would later cross into Mozambique to join the liberation fighters.
He was deployed to the front before being recalled for further training in Tanzania in 1977.
He later fought in Buhera and Chivhu under the Monomotapa Sector where he was the Detachment Commander under Cde Aaron Nhepera, the current Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.
With this colourful history, Cde Gumbo remained a simple person who embraced everyone.
Speaker after speaker at his burial at his Nyamajura, Odzi Farm last Friday, said Cde Gumbo was well connected with his local community.
He was a hard-working farmer, most reputable for tobacco farming prowess. He was also a cattle farmer who selflessly supported colleagues whose breeds he shared without thinking of a profit.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said Cde Gumbo’s demise was a huge loss to the entire nation.
He said Cde Gumbo defied a tough upbringing as an orphan to purse education, before later crossing the border to join the war.
Minister Mugadza said Cde Gumbo was a dedicated and hard-working son of the soil, both before and after independence, and his contributions will be remembered forever.
“The family, the district, province and the whole nation have suffered a loss, and the void created as a result of his death will be difficult to fill. Many will recount the life history of this humble and jovial fellow, the late Cde Gumbo, who was born on June 21, 1953, in Tsholotsho Communal Lands, under Chief Ngoya, and was second born in a family of seven.
“Upon the death of his father, his mother took with her the late Cde Gumbo to her rural home in Seke Communal Lands where he grew up. Cde Gumbo attended primary education at Murape Primary School in Seke, and later went on to attain qualifications in Water and Sanitation, Informal Sector and Rural Development.
“This saw him serve in the public service in different portfolios including as a Commanding Liaison Officer at Rusape Police Station in 1980, Senior Resettlement Investigator in the then Department of Rural Development in 1981, where he worked proficiently, earning himself promotion to the position of Regional Rural Development Officer responsible for Manicaland Province until he retired from public service in 1993.
“In 2006, Cde Gumbo was sent by the party, ZANU PF, to China to study China’s Armed People’s struggle and its ideology, a testament of his ability to be useful force of community orientation on nationalism, patriotism and loyalty, even in his retirement.
“Cde Gumbo has a long and colourful liberation history which should be the envy of the family, the community, Manicaland Province and nation at large. In 1969, Cde Gumbo along with his brother, Sydney, became members of Cold Comfort Society, administered by Cde Didymus Mutasa, late national heroes, Guy Clutton-Brock and Cde Moven Mahachi, as haven for political activism for African nationalists from ZAPU and ZANU.
“It was at Cold Comfort Farm Society that Cde Gumbo interacted with students from the then University of Rhodesia, among whom were the late Arthur Chadzingwa and national hero, Dr Felix Muchemwa, who participated jointly with the society in resisting the oppressive Mr Ian Douglas Smith regime.
“During this period, Cde Gumbo was involved in assisting and defending the Tangwena people in their resistance against illegal evictions by the Smith regime, a feat that led to the banning of the Cold Comfort Farm Society and confiscation of its assets, forcing it to relocate to Ruwa.
“In 1975, Cde Gumbo together with national heroes, Chief Rekayi Tangwena, Cde Edgar Tekere and Cde Moven Mahachi led the former President Cde Mugabe to Mozambique on foot, a daring act of courage and determination to liberate his country.
“After the closure of Cold Comfort and Tangwena Farm in Nyanga where he also frequented, Cde Gumbo who returned to Zimbabwe from accompanying Cdes Mugabe and Tekere, remained running the farm at St Faith’s Mission. On the advice of a CID officer named Ngulube, he was told to immediately leave Rusape for Mozambique,” said Minister Mugadza.
Minister Mugadza said Cde Gumbo heeded the advice, and it was his time to cross the border to join other patriotic citizens to fight colonial settlers.
“In 1976, he left the country to join the ZANU military wing in Mozambique, arriving at Doroi, and proceeding to receive his first military training at Chimoio ZANLA Camp, before joining the war front to liberate our beloved country. He was recalled back to Mozambique towards the end of 1976 for another tactical deployment.
“In 1977, Cde Gumbo left Mozambique for Tanzania as part of the ZANLA contingent that specialised in mine warfare at Nachingweya Camp, becoming the second group of Fanyaharaka. After completion of the training, Cde Gumbo was deployed to Manica Province under the Monomotapa Sector commanded by Cde Aaron Nhepera, the current Permanent Secretary for Defence, before fighting in Buhera and Chivhu as detachment commander,” said Minister Mugadza.
Cde Gumbo served in other various capacities such as provincial war veterans chairman in 1995, ZANU PF Manicaland political commissar in 1999, City of Mutare Commissioner 2006, ZANU PF Manicaland vice-chairman in 2008, and had a brief stint as ZANU PF secretary for administration.
At the time of his death, Cde Gumbo was ZANU PF provincial secretary for economic affairs.
ZANU PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Tawanda Mukodza described Cde Gumbo as a natural leader who believed in teamwork and was a straight talker who wanted things done perfectly.
“In my personal capacity I regarded Cde Gumbo as my father. He was the voice of reason in the province. We would discuss a lot as provincial structures, but when we wanted to make final decisions, we made sure that we consulted him. He was among the most senior people in the provincial executive I currently lead.
“He was a great advisor and would always talk straight to the point. He would not mince his words. He had positive attitude always. We had many elections which the party emerged victorious because of Cde Gumbo’s guidance. He was a humble person.
“I assumed the chairmanship at a fairly young age, and it is people like Cde Gumbo who helped me to settle down. I urge the party to remain united as this was always the main objective of Cde Gumbo,” said Cde Mukodza.
ZANU PF Central Committee member and war veteran, Cde Shadreck Tongesayi Chipanga said the declaration of Cde Gumbo as liberation war hero is a wake-up call on all veterans to have their contribution during the liberation war properly documented before their death.
This, he said will make authorities accord a person the right status.
“Manicaland should be united in recognising its outstanding comrades. War veterans’ numbers are going down due to natural attrition. The party gave us a position of secretary for war veterans in the structures, and we urged war veterans’ leaders to record the history of each war veteran in the province.
“Cde Gumbo’s was only being celebrated for driving the late former President Cde Mugabe, but his own contribution of being involved in the war was not known to many. Let us document each comrade’s contribution properly so that when information on one’s contribution is sought, it is readily available. We would like to thank President Emmerson Mnangagwa for bestowing the liberation war hero status on Cde Gumbo. Surely he deserved better as he made significant contributions to the struggle besides helping Cde Mugabe to cross into Mozambique,” said Cde Chipanga.
Family spokesperson and son, Mr Tawanda Gumbo said the family was robbed of a pillar of strength whose passing has left a huge void.
“As a family, we are saddened by the loss of our father. He was always there for us despite his busy schedule in politics. We will dearly miss him,” said Mr Gumbo.