adminKudzanai Gerede
They say revolutionaries do not die, but slowly they fade away. They leave legacies that forever linger past the memories of the living into generations that follow. Like subdued embers left scattered by the hearth; lifeless, deep within the confines of their cocoons they latently smoulder, harbouring the immediate environs from the relentless cold night with their sweltering warmth.
It is with such warmth that the memories of one of the country’s liberation war luminaries, Skhanyiso Duke Ndlovu will forever be cherished.
A beacon in the academic spaces both pre and post independence, Dr Skhanyiso Ndlovu was passionate about education dating back to the days he was at Gonakudzingwa Detention Centre with other comrades such as Dr Joshua Nkomo, Joseph Msika, Josiah and Ruth Chinamano among others where he was instrumental in setting up the Gonakudzingwa learning program for fellow comrades in detention.
He was consistent with his vision of seeing an educated Zimbabwe even post independence after he had acquired education in the United States of America before he later came to join other cadres in Zambia to pursue the liberation of the country.
This was evident in his decision to take it upon himself to lead the way when he founded the Zimbabwe Distant Education College (ZDECO) which are now scattered in major cities and was behind the creation of the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU).
While the gun was decisive in the fight against the colonial system leading to the attainment of the country’s independence, the book was equally a vital weapon in emancipating mental oppression for Africans which saw Dr Ndlovu emerge among the pioneers of African intellectuals during the time.
The Duke, as he was affectionately known, was not confined to the academic realm, he was notoriously behind the White City stadium bombing in Bulawayo where then Prime Minister Harold Wilson was scheduled to address a gathering the following day. He mastered urban guerilla warfare tactics that earned him the name “General Hokoyo”,
He led an underground militia sabotaging the Rhodesian authorities in the city of Bulawayo and made petrol bombs which they would use for attack.
“His was a case of a fighter with brains”, President Robert Mugabe explicitly described him at the National Heroes acre last Saturday.
Just a few months ago, this writer had an exclusive interview with the late liberation war hero at his ZEDCO offices where he opened up his heart on many topical issues. A few more visits at his office were characterised by long incisive lectures on the liberation struggle, education and politics all in a genial mood.
Dr Ndlovu was soft spoken, even when narrating grievous issues a smile always invaded his face such that his verbatim would constantly shower intuitive torrents that provoked one’s thoughts – it was that conviction that made one believe what he said and enable one to learn from him with ease.
Dr Ndlovu blatantly quizzed the prevailing state of education in the country.
“During our time there was hardly any literature capturing our past as Zimbabweans as our ancestors had not come across the art of writing down events. On that background, I have known German history more than the Germans themselves because that is what was there to study”, he said nostalgically.
“It is unfortunate that you know much of Otto Von Bismarck than you do about your own heroes who liberated you”.
He spoke passionately about the need to emphasise on local history which was being neglected and had not been exhausted in the current literature available.
Despite having retired from active politics during his last days Dr Ndlovu remained committed to the spirit of unity among Zimbabweans and often gave reference to the late Dr Joshua Nkomo whose wish was to see a united country.
He bemoaned the culture of violence that has engulfed today’s youths in all aspects of their lives which he said was a betrayal of what they had fought for.
“Violence is not part of ubuntu bethu”, he nostalgically spoke. “Ubra Josh (Brother Joshua Nkomo) believed that development without peace was not sustainable, and that is the word he left us, he always preached that everywhere we went and I am committed to seeing that vision live to its fulfilment”.
Dr Ndlovu’s reputation had grown into that of a quasi-Joshua Nkomo amongst his people in the Western parts of the country. During his detention at Gonakudzingwa, he was Nkomo’s errand-boy as he worked closely with Father Zimbabwe, moments he passionately cherished.
Having been immensely influenced by the late Father Zimbabwe whom he profoundly adored, the Duke was a man of the people and embraced their culture. He would be spotted putting on an African headgear identified with the culture of his people and synonymous with Joshua Nkomo and Jason Moyo in the past.
Today Zimbabwe is basking in glory of being the continent’s most literate nation, thanks to the works of this educated son of the soil. We shall forever be indebted to this visionary’s sacrifices as a nation and his legacy shall forever glow, illuminating the dark paths lying ahead.
Online Reporter