Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, Zimpapers Politics Hub
AS preparations for the Zanu-PF 22nd Annual National People’s Conference gather momentum, the host city of Mutare in Manicaland Province is at the centre of attention.
Scheduled to take place from 13 to 18 October at Mutare Polytechnic, the conference is being held in Manicaland as part of the revolutionary party’s policy of rotating national events, a particularly fitting choice given the province’s profound history.
The decision to host the conference in Manicaland is a clear tribute to the province’s revered place in the history of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
The province is also the home of many national heroes and heroines who made immense sacrifices for the nation’s freedom, making it a befitting location for the party’s annual gathering.
The crucible of the liberation struggle
Geographically located on the eastern border with Mozambique, Manicaland was the crucible of the country’s armed struggle. It served as a vital conduit through which thousands of Zimbabweans, including freedom fighters and refugees, crossed into Mozambique for military training.
The province’s strategic location provided numerous entry points into Mozambique, making it incredibly difficult for colonial authorities to control the influx of people.
This was further aided by the shared cultural and lineage heritage between the people of Manicaland and those in the neighbouring Manica Province across the border. This close connection created a seamless network of support for the armed struggle.
The importance of Manicaland’s proximity to Mozambique cannot be overstated, as the neighbouring country played an absolutely critical role in Zimbabwe’s liberation.
Following Mozambique’s independence in 1975, the FRELIMO Government, under the leadership of President Samora Machel, provided a safe haven and a key staging ground for Zanu’s military wing, Zanla.
This relationship was symbiotic: Zanu-PF was able to launch its attacks from a secure base, while Mozambique provided logistical and moral support despite facing severe retaliatory attacks from the Rhodesian forces.
The border became the frontline of the war, making Manicaland a province of supreme strategic value.
Furthermore, Manicaland is home to a number of historical sites that serve as powerful reminders of the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle.
Within Mozambique, but easily accessible from Manicaland’s border, are former liberation war camps that stand as sacred ground for Zimbabweans.
One of the most significant is Chimoio, located in Mozambique’s Manica Province, which was the site of a devastating Rhodesian raid in 1977.
This former Zanla military headquarters and refugee camp is a sombre reminder of the thousands of lives lost and the immense human cost of the struggle, and its proximity to Manicaland further reinforces the deep historical connection between the province and the armed conflict.
In a move that underscores the historical importance of the liberation site, Zanu-PF National Chairman Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has announced that delegates attending the upcoming conference will have the opportunity to visit the Chimoio Shrine in Mozambique.
“Given our proximity to Mozambique, we will arrange for delegates to visit the Chimoio Shrine. Manicaland played a significant role in the liberation struggle, and this shrine, being nearby, serves as a poignant reminder of our history.
“Our independence was hard-won, and we must honour those who sacrificed their lives, whose graves are scattered across our neighbouring countries.
“Manicaland was a crucial entry point into Mozambique, and we will create documentaries to tell the stories of our war veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. This will remind our nation of our past, present, and future, as we strive towards Vision 2030 and safeguard our country,” said Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri.
The planned trip to Chimoio reinforces the deep historical connection between Manicaland province and the armed conflict.
The shrine, which was a massive Zanla military headquarters and refugee camp, was the site of a brutal Rhodesian attack in 1977 that resulted in the massacre of thousands of Zimbabweans.
Its proximity to Manicaland made it a crucial part of the struggle, and the visit will serve as a sombre reminder of the sacrifices made for the nation’s freedom.
Honouring heroes and heroines
Manicaland’s significance is also underscored by the fact that it is home to many national heroes and heroines who made immense sacrifices for the nation’s freedom.
The list of prominent figures from the province includes both those who fought during the Second Chimurenga and those who resisted colonialism in earlier times.
A key figure in the liberation struggle was Cde Herbert Chitepo, born in Nyanga. A lawyer and the country’s first black barrister, Cde Chitepo became a foundational leader as Chairman of Zanu from 1963 until his death in 1975.
His wife, Cde Victoria Fikile Chitepo, a National Heroine was a prominent figure in the struggle and served as a Cabinet Minister after independence.
Other distinguished heroes include Cde Moven Mahachi, a nationalist and long-serving Cabinet Minister from Dewedzo, and Cde Vivian Mwashita, a veteran of the liberation struggle from Rusape who joined
Zanla in Mozambique in 1975 and participated in some of the war’s most notable battles.
The province’s history of resistance dates back to the First Chimurenga, with figures like Chief Chingaira Makoni, a powerful leader who led his people in resisting colonial rule in the late 19th century.
His stronghold was Gwindingwi, and he remains a revered figure in the history of resistance in Manicaland. Similarly, Chief Rekayi Tangwena, born in Nyanga, is a National Hero for his resolute defiance of the Rhodesian government’s attempts to forcibly remove his people from their ancestral land.
Cde Maurice Nyagumbo, born in Rusape, was a founding member of both the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Zanu.
This list is not exhaustive, as countless other heroes and heroines from the province played crucial, often unseen roles in fighting battles and supporting the war effort.
The immense sacrifices made by the people of Manicaland for the nation’s independence serve as a powerful reminder of the province’s central role in Zimbabwe’s history.
Given its rich history and the sacrifices made by its many heroes and heroines, it’s a profound and symbolic gesture for Zanu-PF to host the conference in the province. Hence, by hosting the conference in Manicaland, Zanu-PF is paying a big befitting tribute to the province’s central role in the nation’s liberation.
A symbol of national development
The province’s significance is further underscored by its administrative structure, which encompasses seven districts — Buhera, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Makoni, Mutare, Mutasa, and Nyanga — as well as three town councils: Mutare City, Chipinge, and Rusape. Each of these areas played a vital part in the struggle, from providing recruits to serving as battlegrounds and logistical hubs.
Their collective contribution, combined with the province’s many heroes, solidifies Manicaland as a truly befitting location for the party’s annual gathering.
Commenting on the choice of venue, Zanu-PF national spokesperson, Cde Chris Mutsvangwa, said the conference’s timing is opportune, given Manicaland’s emerging prominence.
“For the first time in Zimbabwe’s trade history, Manicaland has become the main gateway for the region beyond the Limpopo River. Previously, trade relied on Durban, 2 000km away, resulting in significant inflation burdens.
“However, thanks to President Mnangagwa’s policies, Manicaland has surpassed Beitbridge as the primary gateway, indicating a bright future.
“With the shortest route to the sea being just 300km to Beira, Manicaland is poised to connect with the prosperous Asian region, including China, India and the Middle East. This resurgence coincides with the President’s emphasis on value addition, particularly with the restoration of Zimbabwe’s steel sector.
“The Manhize steel factory is now Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest modern integrated factory, with potential to surpass Egypt’s capacity,” he said.
Given all of these factors — the historical significance of Manicaland in the liberation struggle, its role as a strategic battleground and source of heroes, and its administrative structure — hosting the Zanu-PF conference there is a profoundly symbolic and fitting choice.
It serves not only as a tribute to the sacrifices made for the nation’s freedom but also as a powerful statement of the party’s commitment to the philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind.”
The conference will not only address national, political and economic issues but will also serve as a moment of remembrance and honour, reinforcing the deep connection between the party, the province, and the foundational history of Zimbabwe.
