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The Herald, June 16, 1980
THOUSANDS of people turned up yesterday at rallies throughout the country to commemorate Takawira Day.
The Minister of Education and Culture, Mr Dzingai Mutumbuka, told a crowd of 5 000 at Mucheke Stadium, Fort Victoria, that the Government would announce next month the date when free education would come into effect.
The rally was one of eight held in the province in honour of Mr Leopold Takawira, the former Zanu vice president who died in hospital while in detention in 1970.
In a rally at Beitbridge, ZANU (PF) official Mr Chivivito said the Government could not tolerate banditry and would take measures.
Another speaker, Mr John Milindi, warned against people with “evil ideas” who were bent on promoting civil war.
He called on all Zimbabweans to unite and work for reconciliation, reconstruction and development.
Mr MC Mawere spoke against rumourmongering and called up-on the people to forget the past and work for the future of the country.
The Prime Minister, Mr Mugabe, is understood to have told a closed meeting in Harare yesterday that it was important for all Zimbabweans to understand fully the circumstances that led to Mr Takawira’s death and his contribution to the liberation struggle as a whole.
Among senior officials present at the meeting was Dr Nathan Shamuyarira, the Minister of Information and Tourism.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
- It is important to continue to recognise important people, especially those that would have made the ultimate sacrifice for a greater good, such as the late National Hero Leopold Takawira who dedicated his life to liberating the country.
- Cde Takawira was one of the founding fathers of African nationalism in the country and was the first Vice President of Zanu. He died in prison in 1970 and was first buried in his rural home Chirumanzu before his remains were reburied at the National Heroes Acre on August 11, 1982.
- Cde Takawira, who was also known by his totem Shumba yamakuwerere, Mhazi (the Lion of Chirumanzu), was among the first heroes to be interred at the national shrine.
- Bob Marley sang “None but . . .” By continuing to mark days like Takawira Day and doing lecture series on them, we will be immortalising our history, not just for now, but for future generations.
Online Reporter