Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Zimpapers Reporter
SHE became a widow at just 26 last year, left to care for two young children who still needed food, clothing and school fees — just as they did when their father was alive.
But Rosemary Dube, daughter of a liberation fighter who took up arms against the settler regime, leading to the attainment of independence in 1980, refused to let tragedy cripple her or her children’s future.
A passionate farmer with a particular interest in piggery, Ms Dube had already started a pig project, albeit using rudimentary methods. Her fortunes changed when the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs organised a piggery training course for children of war veterans in Matabeleland North province.
“I attended that course, which was free and facilitated by experts from the Pig Industry Board. I learnt a lot,” said Ms Dube.
Two weeks ago, in Lupane, the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Monica Mavhunga, presented her with a certificate in piggery, officially recognising her as an expert in pig farming.
Minister Mavhunga was in Lupane to interface with the Veterans Community, made up of war veterans, ex-political detainees and restrictees, non-combatant cadres, war collaborators, war victims and the dependants of heroes and heroines.
“Piggery is a lucrative business if you know what you’re doing. I was able to take care of my children and also assist my parents, but with the expert knowledge I now have, I intend to be a model farmer and inspire other young girls out there,” said Ms Dube.
She praised the ministry for empowering children of liberation fighters, many of whom struggled with education due to lack of school fees while their parents were at war.
“There are things that we feel Government can still do for us, but I am humbled by what I now have through the responsible ministry. This is a lifelong achievement and, if successful, I may even become an employer,” said Ms Dube.
Meanwhile, the Children of Zimbabwe War Veterans Association has appealed to the Government to raise the age limit for school fees assistance for veterans’ children, which at present caps at 30 years. A member of the national committee representing Matabeleland North, Cde Melody Munsaka, said many in their group started school late because their parents were in the bush fighting the British settlers.
“It would be good for the Government to increase the 30-year school fees assistance cap. We have some members who started school late — some entered Grade One when they were already teenagers — and limiting assistance to 30 years means they will struggle to complete their education. We hope the Minister will address this today,” said Cde Munsaka.
She said the association is also seeking a 20 percent mining quota to help economically empower the children of veterans.
“We note and appreciate the assistance, which Government, through His Excellency President Mnangagwa, has so far extended to us as the children of war veterans. But we feel these issues I have mentioned must also be considered, including housing in various local authorities,” said Cde Munsaka.
She added that they would also like a special quota in all Government recruitment agencies, including nursing, teaching and the police.
