admin
Nduduzo Tshuma Political Editor
FORMER freedom fighters yesterday left for Zambia to visit former Zipra war camps as part of Heroes Day commemorations today. The ex-combatants, under the Maqhawe’sizwe Entourage Trust, were invited to Zambia by Zimbabwe’s ambassador to the neighbouring country, Getrude Takawira. The organisation’s chairperson Cde Onesmus Bhebhe yesterday said in previous years they visited Zambia two weeks after Heroes Day celebrations, but this year they were invited to visit early.
“Our trip is well organised. We’re going to commemorate Heroes Day as we remember fallen cadres who fell during the liberation struggle,” said Cde Bhebhe.
“We’re going to revive the spirit of the revolution and see if we’re still on track with the ideals of the struggle.”
Cde Bhebhe said the group of more than 40 ex-combatants was small because of the change in programme.
“The ambassador is hosting us on Heroes Day, so the number was affected because some of our comrades will be visiting various shrines around the country where their loved ones are buried and want to commemorate the day in the country,” he said.
The group’s secretary general Cde Otilia Sibanda said the visit was important for them.
“When Heroes Day comes, we want to be there and remember our colleagues.
“It’s our wish that while others visit various shrines in the country, we also want to be with our fallen colleagues,” she said.
“We’re an open organisation and invite every Zimbabwean especially young children to join us on such trips so that they get to learn about the liberation struggle.
“We go on holidays to accommodate schoolchildren.”
Widow to national hero Cde Swazini Ndlovu, Gloria, a member of the organisation who could not join her colleagues to Zambia said she was happy that the fallen combatants were being remembered.
The group’s coordinator, Cde Zephaniah Moyo said the aim of their visit was to also impart knowledge to the young generation on the liberation struggle.
“This organisation is similar to Mafela Trust. We’re also documenting lost history so that the legacy of the liberation struggle isn’t lost,” he said.
Cde Moyo said the organisation wanted to visit Angola and Mozambique where some ex-combatants were trained during the liberation war.
The group is expected to return home on Thursday.
Online Reporter