adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
WAR veterans have been urged to compile comprehensive biographies for historical purposes. Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWA) Bulawayo province secretary general Cde Luke Mpofu said the association was struggling to identify some of its members once they died. He told mourners at the burial of Cde Tymon Ndlovu at the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes Acre in Nkulumane yesterday that it was important for war veterans to write down their own stories.
Cde Mpofu said Cde Ndlovu’s story was not well documented.
“War veterans you should write your biographies while there is time. We don’t know much about Cde Ndlovu besides that he trained in Zambia before being transferred to Ethiopia for further training. Is it all that he did? I don’t think so. But if his biography was there, we would just read,” said Cde Mpofu.
He castigated relatives of deceased war veterans who grab properties that would have been left by the departed freedom fighters. Cde Mpofu said the association has on several occasions dealt with cases where relatives of freedom fighters were fighting over property that would have been left by members.
Meanwhile, The Chronicle was told that Cde Ndlovu died last week on Thursday at Mpilo Central Hospital after a short illness. His brother, Mr Witness Ndlovu said the liberation war hero was diabetic.
“This is such a big loss to the family and the community at large. Tymon was always ready and willing to assist anyone who needed his help at any time. He will be greatly missed,” he said. Cde Ndlovu, whose war name was Hurricane, left for the liberation struggle in 1977 through Botswana, ended up in Zambia.
He did basic military training in Zambia and was chosen as one of the cadres to go for further training in Ethiopia. After his training, he joined the Zipra Artillery Division. Cde Hurricane operated in the Hurungwe-Kazangarara area until the time of the ceasefire, just before the country’s independence in 1980.
He was part of the group that assembled at Papa and then at Mashumbi Pools until he was integrated into the Zimbabwe National Army, before he was demobilised in 1984. After leaving the army, he joined Monarch as a welding machine operator. Cde Ndlovu is survived by his wife, six daughters and four grandchildren.
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