Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
MATABELELAND South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu has urged veterans of the liberation struggle to share the rich history of the country’s protracted struggle for independence with the younger generation to inspire them to defend the revolutionary gains.
Speaking during the burial of liberation war hero Cde Fellowship Malamba Sibanda at the Gwanda Provincial Heroes Acre on Monday, Dr Ndlovu said it is only revolutionary parties that can safeguard the gains of the liberation struggle.
She said the knowledge that was imparted to the liberation fighters in their formative years inspired them to participate in the country’s liberation struggle.
“The knowledge that was imparted to us by the fathers of the revolutionary movement compelled us to leave our comfort zones and we went to Zambia to join in the liberation struggle. When we left for training we were very young, some had just completed their Ordinary level while others were in Form Two,” said Dr Ndlovu.
“The liberation war hero that we are laying to rest here today was working in Botswana but he responded to the call and played his part in fighting for the country. Let’s go out there and educate our people, especially the youth on the liberation struggle.”
Dr Ndlovu said future generations should defend the gains of the liberation struggle. She said Cde Sibanda’s untimely death left a big gap, not only in his family but the whole province of Matabeleland South.
“The war veterans’ fraternity, the ruling party Zanu- PF and the entire nation feel the same pain as the Sibanda family following the departure of such a cadre who dedicated his life to fighting the oppressive colonial regime of Rhodesia,” she said.
Cde Sibanda joined the liberation struggle in 1975 after quitting his job in Selebi Pikwe in Botswana.
He then crossed over to Zambia alongside other comrades where he received military training at Mwembeshi Military Training Centre. Upon completion of the training, he was deployed back to Zimbabwe and operated in Hurungwe, Mashonaland West province. “He is one of the comrades who fought and survived several battles and made it to a new Zimbabwe,” said Dr Ndlovu.
She said the selfless dedication displayed by Cde Sibanda is unparalleled and should never be forgotten.
She expressed her gratitude to President Mnangagwa for conferring Cde Sibanda with a liberation war hero status.
She implored other veterans of the struggle to safeguard the legacy that the late Cde Sibanda and other fallen heroes left behind. Cde Sibanda was born on 3 March 1958 at Manama Hospital in Gwanda district.
He did his primary education at Matanangombe Primary and then went to Manama High School and Luveve High School for his secondary.
He then moved to Selibe Pikwe Botswana in search of greener pastures. In 1975, Cde Sibanda decided to cross the border to Zambia to join the liberation struggle.
In 1981, after the independence, he joined the Zimbabwe National Army where he was attached to the 4.2 infantry battalion.
He was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. Cde Sibanda was sent to Mozambique on a military operation where he lost his eyesight.
In 1991 he was discharged from the army on medical grounds.
Upon retirement, Cde Sibanda became a full member of Zanu-PF. Cde Sibanda held many positions in the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association and Zanu-PF.
He is survived by wife Sarah, five children and eight grandchildren. — @DubeMatutu
Online Reporter