adminRichard Muponde
THE Biblical story of Saul who persecuted Jesus’s followers but later turned to be the Lord’s ardent follower and apostle, assuming the name Paul, preaching the Gospel to many and saving souls, vividly describes the life of a former dissident, Thambolenyoka.
Born Tennyson Ndlovu, the name Thambolenyoka sent shivers down the spines of villagers in Matabeleland South province in the early 1980s during the era of political disturbances. Cde Ndlovu, used the name Thambolenyoka lihlaba elimzondayo (the snake bone that pricks enemies) during the 1980s disturbances. A mere mention of his name during that era, would make people run.
He together with dissidents such as Richard Gwesela made names for the wrong reasons and gave security forces a torrid time in trying to quell their insurgencies. Gwesela was killed on 18 September 1987 in the Zhombe area by security forces.
Thambolenyoka and 54 other dissidents operating in Matabeleland South namely, Gayigusu, Desheka and “Fidel Castro” turned up and handed themselves over to security forces at Gwanda Recreational Centre after an amnesty was pronounced by President Mugabe.
The granting of amnesty to dissidents followed the signing of a peace deal and Unity Accord between President Mugabe and the late Vice-President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo on 22 December 1987.
Since then, Thambolenyoka was integrated into the civilian life but, however, he did not just sit and reflect on his past but instead focused his mind to work for the people. He turned from villian to hero.
In 2002, Thambolenyoka led a group of war veterans occupying farms during the land reform programme in Matabeleland South where a number of landless villagers were resettled as a result of that. He got a plot at Lancaster Farm in his home district of Insiza where he is farming.
Thambolenyoka has proved to be a darling of the people in the resettlement areas and villages of Fort Rixon because of his fight to better their lives.
In 2013, he was voted as a councillor for Ward 14 under the Insiza Rural District Council, on a Zanu-PF ticket. Since his first day in office, he has spearheaded development progammes in Fort Rixon, making him a darling for many.
Sunday News last week had the opportunity to interview the man with nine lives to hear what made the infamous dissident, Thambolenyoka, a popular councillor.
“The people here love me. What I am doing with the people is the continuation of the revolution. They chose me because they saw I’m of value to them.
“Since my election I have never looked back. As we speak I have managed to establish two business centres at Claremont and Mapholisa. There was no store in this area before. Whites who lived here never cared about locals,” he said.
“I’m committed to having a fully-fledged industry here as commercial stands are available and very soon I will be working on electrifying the two business centres.
“The place will change and our people are happy with the development which I’m spearheading in this ward, working together with the party (Zanu-PF).”
Talking about his past as a dissident, Thambolenyoka said the situation has changed for him and he is now focusing on working for the people.
“No-one talks about my past here. People respect me as their leader and they work with me very well. The past does not affect me at all.
“I’m in a changed situation; my focus is now working for the people and see that their lives are improved,” he said.
He also took time to talk about his family and boasted that he has 12 children although he did not mention the number of wives.
“I have got eight sons. It’s a commando unit,” he said jokingly. “Four of my kids are girls and all of them are alive.”
Thambolenyoka is, however, disappointed that his children were being denied fees which he is entitled to as a war veteran.
“As for my gratuities which were given to all war veterans in the 1990s, I have got no problem because I got them and I’m even getting my monthly allowances. However, as for the school fees I have been denied.
“What makes me very sad is that I’m being denied this money by a person whom I was with in the war as Zipra combatants. It’s sad indeed. I had hoped to send my children to university through those fees. I have surrendered and I’m not going to apply for it anymore,” he said.
This is the story of Saul — Thambolenyoka the dissident and; Paul — Thambolenyoka the councillor.
derick.khumalo