Online Reporter
This week, Zimpapers’ Politics, Foreign Affairs and Opinions Editor KUDA BWITITI sits down with CDE TOBIAS KANYONGO, whose Chimurenga name was Bomber Chimukwende. Having joined the liberation struggle in 1976, Cde Kanyongo carries the scars of the Second Chimurenga — his hand was lost in battle — and feels lucky to be alive. He shares his journey in the liberation struggle.
********************
Q: Cde Kanyongo, thank you for inviting us. How does it feel to look back on those momentous years now that so much time has passed?
A: It feels like yesterday, yet so much has changed. The memories are still vivid, both the hardships and triumphs.
Q: Before you joined the liberation struggle, what was your life like?
A: Before I joined the struggle, I worked at a vacuum company. The conditions were deplorable, and we were treated less than human by our boss, John. He was a Rhodesian. Every day was a reminder of our subjugation; of the systemic oppression that permeated every aspect of our lives under the colonial regime.
Q: You mentioned the ill-treatment by your boss. Was this an isolated incident or common?
A: The ill-treatment . . . was a microcosm of the larger picture. We were denied basic rights. Our dignity was trampled upon and our aspirations were stifled. There was a deep-seated anger; a quiet resentment that simmered beneath the surface for many of us.
Q: What finally convinced you to join the armed struggle?
A: It was my friend who finally convinced me. We would talk for hours after work, sharing our frustrations and dreams for a free Zimbabwe. He spoke with a lot of conviction about the need for us to take up arms; to fight for our land, our dignity, our future. His words resonated deeply with the fire that was already burning within me.
Q: So, in 1976, you made that important decision. What was the prevailing sentiment at that time?
A: We were determined; determined to fight for our country, for our freedom, for a future where our children would not suffer the same injustices we endured. We knew the risks were immense, that many would not return, but the alternative — continued oppression — was simply unthinkable.
Q: You were given the Chimurenga name Cde Bomber Chimukwende. Can you tell us the significance of that name?
A: When you are in the bush, facing the enemy, you shed your old identity. You become a soldier, a collective force driven by a singular purpose: liberation. My Chimurenga name, Bomber Chimukwende, was given to me because of my spirit, my readiness to confront the enemy head-on.
Q: The war was undoubtedly brutal. Can you describe the conditions and the camaraderie among the freedom fighters?
A: The war was a relentless test of endurance, courage and spirit. We faced battles, hunger and the constant threat of death. But through it all, there was unwavering camaraderie. We were brothers and sisters in arms, bound by a common cause. We shared everything — the little food we had, the few blankets, but most importantly, our hopes and fears.
Q: You bear a visible reminder of the war — the loss of your hand. Can you recount the moment this happened?
A: It was during one such fearsome battle. The Rhodesian forces had us pinned down. The gunfire was incessant and the explosions rocked the ground beneath us. I remember the deafening roar, the searing pain and then the realisation that my hand was gone. It was a moment that could have broken me, but in the heat of battle, there was no time for despair. You soldier on. You fight for your comrades, for the cause.
Q: How did that serious injury affect you, both physically and mentally, in the midst of the struggle?
A: The loss of my hand did not deter me. It only deepened my resolve. It became a symbol, not of loss, but of the price of freedom. I continued to fight, adapting to my new reality, finding strength in my spirit and the support of my comrades.
Q: Looking back now, what are your feelings about having survived the war, and what message do you have for current and future generations?
A: I am lucky to be alive. Many of my comrades did not make it. Their sacrifices paved the way for the Zimbabwe we have today. It is a legacy we must never forget; a history we must continue to tell so that future generations understand the true cost of our freedom.
