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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
IT was an emotional but cheerful reunion last Friday when Bulawayo province hosted a luncheon for seven of the eight pioneer freedom fighters who had not met in ages.
Cdes John Maluzu-Ndlovu, Jack Mpofu, Savy Ngwenya, David Moyo, Moffat Hadebe, Aaron Ndlovu and Ectwell Siwela as well as Cornelius Nyathi who was not in attendance are among the first group of liberation war fighters who took up arms in the early 1960s as it became clear that negotiations would not liberate Zimbabwe.
Most of them rose to become Zimbabwe People’s Revolution Army (ZPRA) commanders during the liberation struggle.
They trained freedom fighters and led some of the fierce battles during the liberation war.
It reads like a fairy tale that they are still alive considering the near death experiences they encountered.
Cde Mpofu witnessed ZPRA Commander Nikita Mangena’s bombing and death and he was also shot in the process, although by friendly fire.
Cde Mpofu limps and requires medical care due to injuries he sustained after he was shot.
On the other hand, Cde Maluzu-Ndlovu narrated that he has spent the better part of his life coughing blood, after being extensively tortured by the repressive Ian Smith regime.
Cde Maluzu-Ndlovu was sentenced to death after being charged for several capital crimes. However, the decision was rescinded just before it was executed.
Cde Hadebe participated in well documented joint operations between ZPRA and South Africa’s African National Congress Umkhonto weSizwe Sipolilo battles against Rhodesian Forces between 1967 and 1968; the Wankie and Sipolilo campaigns.
Other comrades also narrated their extraordinary stories proving that while they are seemingly ordinary citizens, they did not just pave the way towards independence but also gallantly sacrificed their limbs for Zimbabwe’s independence.
While the luncheon was informal, they took time to express a number of concerns to Provincial Affairs Minister Judith Ncube, who was accompanied by members of the Joint Operations Command. Cde Hadebe spoke on the issue of declaration of national heroes, saying there are some pioneer liberation fighters who may not be popular, but need to be considered for declaration as they extensively contributed towards the country’s liberation.
President Mnangagwa on Heroes Day honoured some of the pioneering liberation fighters for the contributions they made in liberating the country.
The pioneer freedom fighters received donations consisting of blankets donated by the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and groceries from other well-wishers.
Cde Maluzu-Ndlovu said it was fulfilling for them to have met after a long time.
“Today has been a wonderful day because this converging of us after so many years, 41 years, is very important. We were just greeting each other as if we are just meeting someone who was outside the country, yet we are all here. It has been a wonderful day. I’m very much impressed because people thought I was dead. I commend the organisers of this event. They did it unexpectedly and we did not expect to get these privileges,” said Cde Maluzu-Ndlovu.
On his award, he said, it reflected the direction that Government wants to take in nation building.
“Following the President speech at the National Heroes Acre, I think he made it clear that the Second Republic has its own ways of doing things. It is trying to create harmony with people of Zimbabwe. That’s why medals were accorded in respect of anybody for his deeds to the communities. That is why colleges, artists and churches were there as well. That is recognition of what is taking place in promoting the Zimbabwean product to the world; what we are in Zimbabwe. I was very much pleased with the medal which I was given which is a Zimbabwean Order of Merit.
It’s the highest medal in the Second Republic,” he said.
Cde Mpofu said with the injuries they sustained during the war, their movements have been limited, so their reunion was God-sent.
“I’m happy that we have met after so many years. Some of us are injured so it is difficult for me to be moving around.
So I’m excited that today I have met my fellow comrades. This shows that life is still moving on,” said Cde Mpofu.
Minister Ncube said while so many people contributed to the liberation of the country, it was critical to remember the pioneer freedom fighters.
She said her office would take up concerns and challenges they raised to relevant offices so that they are addressed.
“What they did is not a joke, being the first ones to pave a way is not a joke. They travelled a journey that had never been travelled before, encountering challenges that were never experienced before, but they dutifully did it and inspired others to join the armed struggle. So we decided as a province that during the Heroes Day week commemorations, we meet with them, rub shoulders with them as they are our elders and tap into their knowledge,” said Minister Ncube.
“They have so many things that we need to learn from them. I would wish one day that a documentary be produced on them so that we could capture what they know that we do not know. As young people, a lot of times we are not prepared to learn and to even listen to someone. But once we capture their data one day someone would have that interest to listen to them. To know what exactly happened in Mkushi and what exactly happened at Chimoio.” — @nqotshili
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