The EU, Mediterranean  deaths and a failed Libya

Bernard Bwoni Correspondent
The case of Libya today as an example of a failed state is beyond doubt with rival splinter groups tearing each other apart and dismantling a once vibrant economy well manned by Gaddafi. The Libyan Coast is now left wide open to dinghy boats captained by manyCaptains Unscrupulous who are willy-nilly cashing it big time while putting people’s lives in danger.

The EU and USA failed Libya by sanctioning the killing of the Great Gaddafi and unfortunately they have to deal with the consequences of their actions.

South Africa and Nigeria should hang their heads in shame for voting for UN Resolution 73 authorising military action against Gaddafi. Now Europe is in limbo because as soon as migrants reach the shores of Europe they can never ship them back under the auspices of a UN 1951 Convention and the convention state that ‘no country is allowed to turn away or turn back any refugees forced to flee their own country’. So the only other option Europe has is to let people drown. This is the real dilemma of EU and US foreign policy blunders.

There is no going round the fact that Libya is in state of political, social and economic malfunction. The EU and USA have to take direct responsibility for their part in the outcome of their brazen and callous public execution of Gaddafi who was the glue that bound Libya and beyond together. When Gaddafi was at the helm Libya was a destination for most migrants from Africa and the Middle East. Today Libyan ports are transit points and many a Captains Crooked people smugglers are having the last laugh. Many migrants are prepared to part with their hard-earned life savings and brave the treacherous seas on makeshift boats to reach European shores for what they imagine to be better lives. It is totally understandable because it is probably better to die on the open seas than return to their port of exit which is often their home countries. Gaddafi and a stable Libya provided the first concrete barrier against people smugglers along the Mediterranean Sea (literally speaking of course). Prior to his untimely murder Gaddafi was negotiating a £4 billion a year package with the EU to help them curb immigration across the Mediterranean. The EU and USA miscalculated and underestimated the critical role Gaddafi played in securing exit points along Libyan shores and today their meddlesome foreign policy has left Libya in the hands of some very unstable and unsavoury characters.

The EU has been witnessing the actual outcomes of their destabilization tactics in Libya with little dinghy boats making futile attempts at crossing the Mediterranean Sea daily. Many lives have been unnecessarily lost and more recently over 900 people perished when the overloaded boat they were crammed up in curved in. There has been some intriguing revelations as the election campaign in the UK has been heating up with the Labour leader Ed Miliband accusing British Prime Minister David Cameron and other EU/USA leaders of being ‘directly responsible contributing to the death in the Mediterranean’ due to their involvement in Libya and failure to formulate a post-conflict plan after the killing of Gaddafi. Under Gaddafi Libya was a solid and stable state run in an efficient and orderly manner.

Since 2011 Libya has had a total of 5 different governments all who have failed dismally and plunged the country further into chaos and confusion. In comparison the one stable government of Gaddafi provided security and stability, free education and health, super infrastructures and the best facilities on the African continent. So this is the democracy that the so-called rebels in Libya who fronted the killing of Gaddafi were fighting for during the carefully choreographed and Western orchestrated so-called Arab Springs? It makes one wonder about the intentions of the “International Community” (EU and USA of course) and their couriers who often happen to be the marionette and handheld opposition political parties who front the concealed capitalist agendas of the self-serving ‘International Community’. Developing countries should value the order and peace that prevail in their countries because that order and peace came from none other but them. It is easy to be swayed by the illusory promises of better things and democracy which means absolutely nothing in the middle of chaos as seen in Libya of today.

The EU immigration crisis on the Mediterranean Sea brings to the fore the flawed and ruthless nature of the EU and USA foreign policy. Lets start by giving credit to the EU for tripling funding for patrols in the Mediterranean Sea to help stranded boats and kudos to them.

However the reality is that it is a crisis they created as Ed Miliband rightly pointed out to David Cameron and they have a responsibility to the victims of the mayhem and chaos they have created with the killing of Gaddafi and the destabilisation of Libya. But then they all seem reluctant to accept the migrants into their countries. Britain has made it clear that it will not be accepting any refugees rescued from the boats on the European shores and other countries have stated that they are unable to cope. It is a crisis of epic proportions with no solution or end in sight.

It is very easy to lay the blame of the migration crisis in Europe and in South Africa on African governments but the real root cause that is often deliberately swept under the carpet is the self-serving foreign policy of the EU and USA. Many African governments and their already struggling economies are left fragmented owing to the interfering hand of the more developed nations of the west. We have witnessed it in Iraq, Egypt, Ukraine, Syria, Libya and many other places where chaos continue to reign in the aftermath of western interference. Those that resist the interference are immediately slapped with economic sanctions as seen in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Venezuela and many others too many to mention.

The script is always the same about ‘dictators, democracy and protecting civilians from their bad leaders’. The question to ask today is if you look at Libya today, who really is the bad leader there? This is food for thought.

The solution to the current crises lies in the EU and USA reviewing their foreign policy agendas in the developing countries. They need to allow developing countries to develop their economies independently without any interference to further their own capitalist agendas. Zimbabwe is a stable country that has been under economic sanctions for the past 13 years and the economy remains in doldrums. The excuse for the continuation of these draconian economic sanctions is the over-used and misused mantra of ‘Mugabe dictatorship, bad governance, democracy and lack of rule of law’, all which are nothing but a red herring fallacy to cover up the regime change agenda overtures.

Many developing countries find themselves wading deeper and deeper into debt and borrowing more to keep it all together for their impoverished and expectant masses. It is a vicious circle where they borrow more and pay out more to service such debt and remain permanently in the financial red. It is the sure case of a Wonga payday loan where one literally set up a direct debit of the whole salary weekly. It comes in and goes out and when it does not go out the interest rate is 1000 percent.

It is a man-made crisis and a direct result of flawed foreign policy and economic manipulation of developing countries by the more industrialised countries of the west in their quest to control the abundant natural resources of the less developed economies. This crisis and the meddling tactics of the industrialised countries manifests itself in scores crookedly dangerous boats on the Mediterranean Sea, the proliferation of far right groups in Europe such as Golden Dawn in Greece, and the anger and resentment continue to simmer in deep-rooted contempt and irrational fear and hatred for migrants with the likes of the Katie Hopkins of this world branding them as cockroaches and the beheading and burning of foreigners in South Africa.

There is a sense of denial in terms accepting responsibility and accountability for the Mediterranean Sea immigration debacle and the chaos the EU actions created in Libya. The bottom line is that the EU/USA have to take full responsibility and now they can actually ‘protect civilians’.

bernardbwoni.blogspot.com.

Village celebrations

Dr Sekai Nzenza On Wednesday
Welcome to a rainy Independence Day celebration reporting directly from our kitchen hut right here on the foothills of the Hwedza mountains along Save River. Thirty-five years ago, we were here, in this same place just after the liberation war. My mother’s beer was frothing and intoxicating, the elders were dancing, playing hosho, pen whistle, chipendani, drums and mbira. The war was over and independence was here.

Across the two rivers, you can see, right on the horizon, a huge granite rock jutting its big head into the sky. That place is called Chinyamungororo Heroes’ Acre.

Many liberation fighters died there and they say a few white soldiers too.

But the white soldiers were quickly taken away and given a burial elsewhere. That was the war. In those days, we were young with little education and no job prospects. Still, it was Independence Day and we were now free. For the first time, adults around here had lined up to get identification certificates, zvitupa.

Because they could not write, they used their thumbs to vote.

Thirty-five years later, we are gathered here in the kitchen hut, to remember and celebrate the thumbs and the pens that voted for freedom. Outside, there is a slow continuous drizzle, mubvumbi. Such rain is unusual this time of the year. More than a month ago, every adult in our village and in many other villages, paid $2 contribution towards buying a big beast that was to be slaughtered on the 18th of April to celebrate Independence Day. But we are not going to leave the kitchen hut. We have been sitting around this fire since 8am hoping the rain would go away and we would go jump in the truck and travel the 15 kilometres to Heroes’ Acre for the independence celebrations. The rain is jealous.

We have a hut full of people who have failed to walk to Chinyamungororo for the Independence Day celebration. Our gate is always open and so is my mother’s kitchen hut. When we were growing up here, it was rare to drink tea with corn bread or sweet potatoes or real bread alone without a visitor. Nothing has changed, especially on a wet Independence remembrance day like this. On the fire, we are smoking meat that I bought on the way from Harare.

Next to the fire is the black kettle covered in soot. It has been boiling many cups of tea for everyone who arrives. It fills like Christmas or the old days when we all ate together during Rhodes and Founders day holidays.

So far, we have made tea five times and served 14 people. Mupositori Sameri who came in first this morning sits next to my cousin Piri on the bench. Piri is not embarrassed to drink beer sitting so close to Mupositori Sameri, a man of God and a leader of the Apostolic Faith situated on the foot hills of the mountains only a few kilometres from us.

Mupositori Sameri walked in with Mai Hagar, his third wife. I know her very well because she is responsible for building the chidziro, or kitchen shelves made of black ocher where we display our plates.

Soon as Mai Hagar walked in, she hugged me and gave me her back so I could take the healthy six-month-old Hagar from her back.

She handed the laughing baby to me while Mupositori Sameri sat on the bench next to the men and Piri. Mupositori Sameri is on his fourth mug of sweet tea and his fourth slice of brown bread with jam and margarine.

Our neighbour Jemba is here too. He had walked in from the slow drizzling rain wearing his father’s old brown Mudhibhisi coat and a big plastic bag over his bald head. He sits on a stool next to the fire. On one side of the kitchen hut are four young women including Mai Hagar. These women have married into our extended family. As usual Jemba keeps rolling his tobacco in an old newspaper. He is listening, saying nothing for a while because he is busy diluting Mazowe orange cordial with water and then adding clear 40 percent alcohol content vodka to his mix to make a cocktail.

Jemba will not stop complaining that the rain has denied him the opportunity to eat as much meat as he wanted. His $2 to the independence celebration party contribution has gone for nothing because those who live near the Heroes’ acre will still kill the beast, cook and roast it despite the heavy rain. Then they will share the pieces of meat and take some home.

Jemba tells us that many years ago, over on Maware flat rocks, they used to kill two beasts at Independence Day celebrations. In those days, the Member of Parliament paid for the two beasts. But allowing people to simply receive from the MP or the chiefs caused dependency. Even when times are hard like now, you hear some people say, “The chief must donate a big live beast.” The chief has been telling everyone to stop looking to donors or Government for help all the time.

We must learn to help ourselves the way we used to do before the NGOs came.

Then Jemba points to Mupositori Sameri and praises him for setting a good example of self sufficiency. “Humba, we never see you queuing for food when the donors come. You and your four wives eat what you grow. That is the way it should be.” Mupositori Sameri smiles and pours his fifth cup of tea. He adds five teaspoonfuls of sugar and stirs.

“But having such wives who have only seen the door to the classroom for less than seven years denies the girls opportunity for education,” says Piri. We all look at each other thinking, oh no, Piri wants to talk about the taboo. Child marriages happen in several villages around here within the church. People say Mai Hagar came to live with her husband when she was 12.

The other senior wives looked after her.

When she was “of age” she became a wife and got pregnant. She lost the first two babies at birth. She is no more than 19-years-old now.

“Were you really old enough to have your first baby?” Piri asks Mai Hagar, laughing, like it was very funny. But I know she is not laughing at all. These girls become wives and mothers when they are very young and even below the age of consent. Mupositori remains calm and very composed, sipping his tea.

I calculate that he is only 32, since he had said earlier that he was born three years after independence and knows nothing of the war. At his young age, he already has four wives and eight children, a few of them dead at birth or later because it is against the rules of the church to get the babies immunised.

After a long pause, Mupositori says, “The tradition of polygamy has been with us since time immemorial. It is not going to stop now.”

Jemba then stands up, grabs a piece of burning twig from the fire and lights his cigarette. “Baba Samuel, keep your wives. Some people say ‘Do not marry the girls. Let them go to school.’ To do what?”

I then try to argue that with education, the girls have better opportunities in life. The girls can end up doing teaching, nursing or choose a profession of their choice. “You are going too far,” Jemba interrupts me. “Where do they get the money to go to Form One? Who will pay for their school fees when a family cannot afford $1 for the grinding mill? Leave them alone. These girls are safe and secure. Besides, polygamy is all about sharing. Who wants a husband all day every day 24 hours a day the way Europeans do?” Everyone laughs, including Mai Hagar.

Then Piri leans over towards the fire to turn one side of her maize cob so the other side can be roasted too. She blows the fire and a flame comes alive. “You are right Moyondizvo, a man and woman should not always be together every day and every night.” Murume nemukadzi vasagare vese zuva nezuva.

My brother Sydney puts on his teacher’s voice and explains that back in the days long before the white man colonised us, men went to hunt for days and brought back wild game meat. They also went to war and some of them never came back. The men who went to the gold mines in Johannesburg were gone for years. And yet, the wives stayed and did not moan or complain about loneliness. Marriage was not for two people. It was for the community. Mapositori are using the old African traditions and those of the Old Testament to practise polygamy.

Mupositori Sameri claps and says, “Sekuru Sidney was my teacher at St Columbus School. I know he is against polygamy because he is a Catholic. But I thank God for the opportunity to sit here on Independence Day celebration. God said, let it rain so people can stay, talk and learn something new.” Everyone claps and there is a lot of joking and laughing.

Independence Day celebration will come back again next year. And we shall sit in the same smoky kitchen hut and treasure the memories of the pain and the joy of how independence was won.

Dr Sekai Nzenza and is an independent writer and cultural critic.

Independence, the flame that cannot be doused

Godwin Gomwe
Over the weekend Zimbabwe celebrated the milestone of 35 years of Independence. To the country, Independence is not just political rhetoric, but a reality. It means freedom from dependence and control by another group, organisation or state. To the youths of Zimbabwe, it is freedom from political, social and economic hegemony masterminded by Western supremacists.

35 years of independence is not just ‘independence’ of the flag.

We have accomplished a lot under the leadership of President Robert Mugabe.

We have achieved undoubtable political independence and have since 1980 been taking giant steps to achieve economic independence, which has proved to be successful through the land reform and various black empowerment programmes, such as the indigenisation and economic programme.

It is because of the genuine and fearless adoption of such programmes which has benefited millions of our populace;that our detractors have found it ethical to punish us through illegal sanctions.

Economic independence is a process and Zimbabwe is one country – if not the only one – in Africa which has successfully embarked on land reform and Indigenisation and economic empowerment programmes, through the noble leadership of ZANU PF.

Since its formation, ZANU PF has proved to be the only party which has stood the test of time through the tried and tested leadership of President Mugabe.

The 35 years of Independence have been a journey to safeguard our social values, shared beliefs and traditions.

This has made it possible to come up with home driven systems that do not encourage borrowed Western practices like homosexuality.

Hence, social independence has also been achieved.

Since 1980, Zimbabweans have shown resilience despite the attacks that targeted the economy via illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the West. Zimbabweans have clearly shown undoubtable belief in the God-given President Mugabe.

As youths we have also been clear that we will support the vision of our ZANU-PF leadership that has stood the test of time and are true and dedicated to the struggle to safeguard our sovereignty and God-given natural wealth.

It is through the great leadership of President Mugabe, who has illuminated the importance of fully achieving economic independence, which has clearly outlined our role as youths.

We applaud the hard-earned independence that we realise in the education sector in Zimbabwe,which is among countries with high literate rates in Africa.

Through the empowerment programmes orchestrated by President Mugabe, Zimbabwe has seen youths at the forefront as drivers of the economy in all sectors.

As we celebrate 35 years of independence, we have a new battle that we are fighting and it needs us to emulate our President. We need to stand by him and realise that a revolution takes time; it’s not an overnight event.

Internally, we need to be firm in support of the President on his zero tolerance to corruption, so that we protect the legacy of those who came before us and be at the forefront of safeguarding our sovereignty and hard earned independence.

One great Zimbabwean artist once sang: “As a proud youth of this great nation and in acknowledgement of the historical significance of the youth, it is our responsibility to play our part in moulding the future of our country; the future of Zimbabwe is in our hands.”

This means that since the liberation struggle, the youths have been the epicentre of the revolution as the vanguards of Zimbabwe. It will take disciplined, dedicated and determined youths to take the country forward.

The country is also in need of youths who have the courtesy, consistence and commitment to work hard in all areas: politically, economically and socially.

Zimbabwe has become a living example of a country which has steadfastly stood by the values of the liberation struggle and there is no doubt that every progressive country looks up to it for inspiration.

Zimbabwean youths should therefore remain patriotic and true to the defence of our national sovereignty and carry forward the torch of freedom.

Zimbabwe scientists shine

Sifelani Tsiko Senior Writer
As Zimbabwe celebrates three and half decades of independence against all odds, it has produced an exceptional pool of gifted individuals who have made significant contributions to the scientific and technological advancement of the country today. This ingenuity needs to be celebrated as the talented individuals have made a meaningful difference through the provision of innovative solutions to everyday challenges facing the country.

Independence celebrations offers an opportunity to demonstrate how the country has managed to develop scientific policies and research institution that are key is solving some of the country’s problems. It is also relevant to measure how the scientific community has made a difference in the development trajectory of the country.

Since 1980, the Government has embraced the key role played by Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in addressing a myriad of problems facing the country.

Through the creation of strategic research institution – the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) in February 1993 under the provisions of the Research Act of 1986, the Research Council of Zimbabwe, the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe, Tobacco Research Board and a number of quasi-government scientific bodies, the Government demonstrated its commitment to promote research and development (R&D) to provide Zimbabwe with technological solutions for sustainable development.

In addition, to this the establishment of science-based universities such as the National University of Science and Technology, the Bindura University of Science Education, Chinhoyi University of Technology and the up-scaling of science and technology in the country’s other universities, polytechnics and colleges as well as private universities and independent research institutions has provided the country with vast knowledge to inform decision making and address issues such as providing equitable access to water, food, health, housing, environment, technology, adapting to climate change to secure the country’s future.

Furthermore, Zimbabwe established the Ministry of Science and Technology Development and launched the Second Science, Technology and Innovation Policy in 2012 which sought to make new technology an intergral part of individual and national development.

It launched the first policy in 2002 and ratified a number of regional and international agreements on science and technology, a clear testimony to the country’s commitment to embrace science and technology.

Government has responded pro-actively to the ICT revolution and computerisation has become a permanent feature of primary, secondary and tertiary education.

Science and technology has complemented other policies — energy, industry, health, agriculture and education while the promotion of biotechnology has opened new opportunities for Zimbabwe to increase food production, stem environmental degradation, improve health and drug development.

Perhaps the greatest achievements for Zimbabwe has been the development of human skills in science and technology which has seen specialist doctors, engineers, pharmacist, biochemists, ICT experts and a numerous other scientists going to other countries in the region and across the world to assume influential position.

Zimbabwe has for years pushed for investment in research and development (R&D) and commercialisation to catalyse economic development.

The overarching focus was really to bring manufacturing and manufacturing innovations back to Zimbabwe as a defining feature of our nation’s economy.

Promoting innovation and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) outreach programmes in schools and universities has been one prong of this effort to enthusiasm for the subjects and career development.

Zimbabwean scientific institutions have also been vibrant in engaging communities and integrating all knowledge, including traditional and indigenous knowledge and the social and human sciences to contribute to social transformation and to strengthen the social fabric of communities.

During the colonial era, most Black people were denied formal education and in fact many laws were passed to suppress the academic advancement of Blacks in the country.

Blacks had limited access to mainstream, quality education and university training. This meant that, for the most part, Blacks were shut out of professional occupations and confined to working in industries deemed acceptable for them, such as domestic services, labour on farms and plantations.

Against all odds, a small number of exceptionally talented Blacks were able to obtain an education and, through their life’s work, made significant contributions to the scientific and technological advancement of Zimbabwe.

Though the list is not exhaustive, The Herald shares some of the local scientists who became well known for their intellect and ingenuity and gained global prominence for innovations they developed over the past period.

Here are some of the achievements by Zimbabwean scientists and inventors which warrant celebration:

Renowned Zimbabwe biochemist Prof Christopher Chetsanga discovered two enzymes involved in the repair of damaged DNA. His scientific achievements included the discovery of: Formamido-pyrimidine DNA glycosylase that removes damaged 7-methylguanine from DNA (1979).

DNA cyclase that recluses imidazole rings of guanine and adenine damaged by x-irradiation (1983).

Another well-known Zimbabwean industrial chemist Dr Robson Mafoti made a breakthrough and designed fascia material which was later used successfully by leading American motor companies such as GM, Chrysler and Ford.

This became his first patent and one of his most prized and enduring innovations. He holds more than 13 United States patents for his inventions in the field of paints, plastics, decorative surfaces, sealants and adhesives.

The VIP — an invention from Zimbabwe
One of the most enduring inventions the country ever produced was the development of the Ventilated (Improved) Pit Latrine, dubbed the VIP or Blair Latrine by Dr Peter Morgan, who has been living and working in Zimbabwe for over 35 years, researching and developing water and sanitation technologies.

The simple technology which has been adopted by the United Nations and across the world comes with a ventilation pipe (covered with a durable fly screen on top) which reduces flies and odour.

More than 500 000 units of this type have been built in Zimbabwe alone and it has proven to work in Africa and across the world.

Dr Morgan won the Stockholm Water Prize in 2013 for his life-long work to protect the health and lives of millions of people through improved water and sanitation technologies.

He is also renowned for developing different water pump systems such as the Blair hand pump (also known as the Zimbabwe Bush Pump <http://www.lifewater.ca/ndexbush.htm>) or the spiral water wheel <http://www.lurkertech.com/chris/eco/pump/morgan/tripod/> pump.

The Brains Behind Dwarf Maize Hybrid
Zimbabwe is one of the first few countries in the world to develop hybrid maize varieties, making it one of the giants of agricultural scientific research in Africa.

Despite the challenges facing scientists in this field, Zimbabweans must take pride in their scientific reputation which led local agricultural experts to develop the SR52 maize hybrid as far back as the early 1950s, boosting production of one of the single most planted crops in the country and the entire continent.

Over the past 35 years, the country has produced numerous soya, tobacco, cotton, maize, sorghum and millet, groundnuts and cowpea varieties which has helped to improve yields. During the 1990s, the late Dr Samuel Muchena and other researchers at the Centre for Fertiliser Development established by the AU developed the AC31 and AC71 drought resistant maize crop varieties which required less fertiliser and rain. These varieties are on demand in Zimbabwe and in the Sadc region as they address challenges of lack 0f fertilizers, droughts and food security.

Afrosoft Engineering
A Zimbabwean company which has managed to break the monopoly of transnational companies in the field of software development in the ICT sector. The company developed a fully integrated banking system for the domestic and regional market, a Pension Fund Management System being used by two institutions, and a Health Insurance System. This ICT firm also has the Local Authorities System for rural and urban councils and more than 20 local authorities are now using this system.

Afrosoft successfully introduced the Railway Wagon Tracking System at the National Railways of Zimbabwe and immigration system at the Beitbridge border post.

The firm also developed an Electricity Demand-side Management System that has the potential to enhance efficient energy use.

e-Hurudza Corporation
Formed in 2003, e-Hurudza has developed computer software tailor-made for the Zimbabwean farmer to enhance farming operations. It targets commercial and communal farmers. The software package is now being used by more than 167 farmers and covers crops, beef and farm administration system, poultry and accounting.

Scientific Industrial and Research Development Centre

This is a national centre of excellence in scientific research in more than 11 areas of specialisation. Some of the major areas of study include building and technology, informatics, biotechnology, metallurgical research, business operations, food and biotechnology, environment and remote sensing, production and engineering and electronics and communication. The centre has developed a number of innovations which include the SLATE package that has laboratory equipment for basic science teaching, foundry products and roofing tiles. Sirdc innovations have been replicated throughout the continent to help industrialise Africa.

Water-powered engine innovation
A Harare-based engineer Jeremia Sundire invented a hydro engine powered by water which was recognised by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (Wipo) and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (Aripo). The engineer invented the water-powered engine which can generate electricity for domestic use using between 40 and 60 litres of water. He invented the engine in 2009.

Zim Medical Milestone

In 2014, Zimbabwe scaled new heights in its medical history after a team of local surgeons performed the first major operation on Siamese twins which were born in April last year. The team made up of paediatric surgeons, doctors and nurses successfully separated a pair of twins born joined through their lower chests and abdomen at Harare Central Hospital.

The twins — who were joined from the lower chest to the upper abdomen and shared a liver — were born on April 22 this year to a Murehwa couple. Surgeons separated them in an eight-hour operation which also involved dividing their shared liver in two.

Zimbabwe has had five documented cases of conjoined twins since 1980 when the country gained its independence and only one was referred outside the country while in 2 cases the babies died before surgery.

Zimbabwean scientist breaks new ground
In a 2013 study by Dr Desmond Manatsa, a climate science expert from Bindura University of Science Education showed that the rise in surface air temperatures in southern Africa over the past two decades could have been due to the loss of upper atmospheric ozone over Antarctica (South Pole).This work was published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

The findings suggest that the closure of the Antarctic ozone hole could lead to a reduction in surface air temperatures in southern Africa.

This contradicts the current view by scientists on the surface air temperature warming over the sub-continent which is attributed to greenhouse gases.

The research team led by Manatsa who was working with colleagues from the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) used reanalysis data to compare the climate of southern Africa before and after the development of the Antarctic ozone hole. They found that a shift in Southern Hemisphere circulation resulting from the development of the ozone hole coincided with the intensification of a low pressure system over southern Africa — which in turn, was associated with the flux of warm air from the lower latitudes to southern Africa.

Eye specialist of note
Renowned eye specialist and holder of the International Ophthalmologist Education Award, Dr Solomon Guramatunhu has become a global icon who has spearheaded eye treatment programmes for the poor in African countries such as Zambia, Namibia and Angola as well as Vietnam.

He is the founding president of the Ophthalmological Society of Zimbabwe and the founding chairman of Eyes for Africa. He is also a member of the American Society of Cataracts and Refractive Surgeons, the European Society of Cataracts and Refractive Surgeons, the International Society of Refractive Surgery, the Corneal Society, the European Vitreo-retinal Society and Euretina. He has helped mobilise funds for eye treatment programmes in Zimbabwe as well as supporting the Copota School for the Blind in Masvingo. He has made a difference for Zimbabwe and Africa through his commitment and dedication in the field of ophthalmology.

This is just a small crop of the bigger ones of Zimbabwean scientists who had the unmistakable stamp of genius which has made it very difficult to erase the quality of their works and philosophy into the dustbin of history. Achievements by numerous other local scientists are still not recorded and publicised.

Despite the domination of inventors from rich and powerful industrialised countries, innovations by Zimbabweans scientists have proven to be useful to mankind.

And as we celebrate the 35th independence anniversary, the truth is emerging about the achievements of black scientists who never made it to most European achievement history books.

“The quality of their works and philosophy still astonishes the world. Since in a world dominated by slavers and colonialists, the occurrence of high material or intellectual value in Africa is a racial taboo, questions that would ordinarily require research and accurate reporting were turned into matters of furious controversy,” wrote Ayi Kwei Armah in article in 2006, demonstrating the power of neglected and under-reported scientific achievements by Ancient Africans.

Music galore to mark Uhuru

Tawanda Marwizi
During the liberation struggle morale in camps was boosted by music and it played an important role until the end of the struggle in 1980 when the Union Jack was lowered for the last time. Thirty-five years later, people still enjoy music and on Saturday thousands of people who thronged the National Sports Stadium for the Independence celebrations were entertained as musicians thrilled.

The celebrations were running under the theme “Zimbabwe @35: Consolidating Peace, Unity, Peace and Economic Sovereignty”.

Despite the wet weather, Alick Macheso, Pastor Charles and Olivia Charamba, as well as Mbare Chimurenga Choir did their best to keep thousands of people entertained as they celebrated 35 years of freedom.

Umbrellas were enough to cover the musicians from the rains as they were doing what they know best on stage.

Macheso took to the stage early in the morning as thousands were getting in the stadium including senior Government officials.

The musician’s dancers jumped off stage and displayed their dancing skills on the ground.

Songs “Shedia”, “Charakupa” and “Madhawu” were enough to kept merry makers entertained as they awaited President Mugabe to lead the proceedings.

In an interview after the performance, Macheso said the day was very important to every Zimbabwean.

“As you can see people have come in numbers to celebrate the day despite the rains. This day is important to every Zimbabwean including us musicians as we are enjoying the fruits of independence,” he said.

Various choral groups including famed Mbare Chimurenga Choir performed.

Displays from different groups were the order of the day and it kept fans whistling and ululating despite the rains.

After the President’s speech music selectors put to the fore dancehall music and Soul Jah Love’s “Kuponda Nhamo”, Tocky Vibes’ “Simudzai Maoko”, Ricky Fire’s “Kana Uchitamba” warmed up the crowd as they sang along waiting for Pastor Charamba and his wife Olivia to perform.

The Charambas who performed late afternoon ushered merrymakers into a prayer mood.

Clad in a white suit and black shirt the musician’s dressing was timely as the colours represents peace and black people.

Their opening song was “Africa” before playing “Nyika Zimbabwe” a song that has become an anthem since its release in 2010.

It was during the song when the musician reminded people that they need to pray for xenophobia victims in South Africa.

He played several other songs and played “Buruka” as two football teams FC Platinum and Dynamos made their entry into the stadium for the Independence Trophy finals.

The musician said he was humbled to be part of the event that is important in the history of the country.

“We are happy to be part of this event and we always thank God for that,” he said.

400 repatriated from S. Africa

Thupeyo Muleya in DURBAN, South Africa
THE first batch of 407 Zimbabweans who were displaced during the xenophobia-motivated attacks in the Chatsworth area of Durban in South Africa left for Zimbabwe last night by road via Beitbridge Border Post in a convoy of six luxury buses and a haulage truck.They are expected to arrive in Zimbabwe late today.

These were part of the more than 3 000 people housed in nine tents at the Chatsworth holding camp with Mozambican nationals for the past seven days.

The transport was provided by the Government of Zimbabwe to repatriate the victims and their luggage.
The group, comprising 112 woman, 92 children and 203 men, was enthusiastic to go home. The Zimbabwe Embassy assisted them with food and transport.

Speaking during the send-off ceremony, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Isaac Moyo, said the victims had gone through basic vetting to confirm their nationality.

Several people including South African women tried their luck to claim Zimbabwean citizenship without success.

“We have hired buses to transport our people from Durban to Zimbabwe by road. They will enter through Beitbridge Border Post where a reception and support centre has already been set up in preparation for their onward transportation and integration at their respective homes,” said Mr Moyo.

He said today they will be processing repatriation documents for over 400 people at the Phoenix holding centre which houses Zimbabweans, Malawians, Kenyans and Batswana.

“These will be repatriated to Zimbabwe by the end of the day today or on Tuesday morning. We have since addressed them and told them what we expect from them so that we can assist them,” he said.

Mr Moyo added that he had been invited to attend an Imbizo called by the Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini and other traditional leaders to find a lasting solution to the ongoing xenophobia-motivated attacks on foreigners.

He urged Zimbabweans living in South Africa to be calm as they were engaging the host government at various strategic and diplomatic levels.

“Those who feel the pressure should not be anxious but seek assistance from the embassy in Pretoria or the consulate in Johannesburg. They must generally know that the Zimbabwean Government is concerned with what is happening to them,” he said.

He also commended the host government for assisting during the identification and documentation of those who needed repatriation.

It is reported that close to 100 people have been arrested in connection with the attacks that have left six people dead and thousands of immigrants homeless.

African Union and Sadc Chairman President Mugabe has condemned the anti-African immigrant violence in South Africa, imploring Africans to treat each other with dignity.

Addressing thousands of people at the 35th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Saturday, President Mugabe said the violent scenes seen in South Africa should never occur again..

“I want now to express our sense of shock and disgust as we abhor the incident that happened in Durban where some five or six Africans were burned to death deliberately by some members of the South African Zulu community.

“We understand it was a protest against the influx into South Africa of or by citizens from neighbouring countries. The act of treating other Africans in that horrible way cannot be condoned by anyone and whether these are followers of the Zulu King Zwelithini or the followers of some other misled members of the South African community, we say on our own behalf and behalf of Sadc, as indeed on behalf of the African Union, that (that) must never happen again, never happen again in South Africa or any other country.

“Our own African people, on the African continent, must be treated with dignity.”

The President said the matter could have been dealt with in more dignified ways if the xenophobes felt strongly about the presence of foreigners in their country.

He commended South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma for denouncing the violence, and said Government was working to repatriate affected Zimbabweans.

Independence Day live updates

By Costa Mano

1424: Our updates end here

1406: President Mugabe ends his speech.

1405: He thanks the support Government has received from the public service throughout the year. He says that bonuses were being withdrawn is not Government policy and cabinet never approved that.

He says that is disgusting to them and that will not happen. He says when Government bestows a benefit on public servants it cannot be reversed as it becomes a right.

“Your bonuses will come to you”.

He said the presidium was not consulted.

1401: The incidences that happened in Durban where some five or six Africans were burnt to death deliberately  by members of the South Africans Zulu community. The act of treating of other Africans in such a brutal way can never be condoned. President Mugabe on behalf of Zimbabwe, Sadc and AU that should never happen again in South Africa or any other country. He says if it is because of the influx of other Africans surely it can be discussed…he acknowledges President’s Zuma’s promise of action and denunciation. He says arrangements are underway to bring back those that are willing.

1354: President Mugabe says he is honoured by his appointments as chairman of both Sadc and AU. He applauds the security forces for defending the country’s sovereignty and peace in the country and today they stand resilient in the pouring rain. He commends them for competent operations in Equatorial Guinea and Lesotho.

1351: Community information Centre projects have been started at Murombedzi and Mapisa while more are in the pipeline. Major medical operations like the open heart and kidney operations can now be done locally.

1550: It is in Government’s plans to continue empowering women politically and economically.

1347: More than 400 rural institutions were electrified in 2015 bringing the total to  7984 institutions by January 31 2015. 823 kilometre Plumtree, Bulawayo, Mutare road has been widened and awaits commissioning.

1345: Zimbabwe has been listed amongst the 52 must visit places in 2015 in the tourism sector. The sector’s growth will further be boosted by the expansion of the Victoria Falls airport.

1343: He commends the World Bank for putting some $6 million dollars for the parastatal reform programme. The World Bank in conjunction with the Government will launch a $6.5 million to improve the business environment.

1339: The largest mechanisation programme by Government to date will be launched soon. The President says the 2014 budget implementation process experienced expenditure pressures driven by high employment costs as a result Government faces challenges in funding development programmes.

1335: The success of ZimAsset lies in its implementation. He says climate change is showing itself today, alluding to the rains. President Mugabe says Government is putting in place contingency measures to make sure that noone starves.

1333: In pursuit of our efforts to improve the lives of our people since Independence the Government started implementing ZimAsset.

1328: President Mugabe is now on the podium and starts by saying Pamberi Nemvura!!!. He congratulates Zimbabwe on its independence.

1316: Host Minister Ignatius Chombo has been invited to the podium.

1308: Chaplain General for the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Colonel Joseph Nyakudya is now on the podium to give a sermon and prayer.

1303: ICT Minister Supa Mandiwanzira is now leading the proceedings.

1300: President Mugabe has lit the Independence Flame to cheers.

1248: The rains have have started again.

1237: The independence parade marches in slow and quick time.

1226: The independence parade is inspected by President Mugabe. The rains have stopped.

1221: The National Anthem plays.

1219: President Mugabe accompanied by First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe arrive to wild cheers.

1156: VP Mphoko has arrived.

1155: Thousands of Zimbabweans have braved the rains and cold to be part of the main celebrations here at the National Sports Stadium.

1151: Service Chiefs have also arrived.

1147: Traditional leaders led by Chief Fortune Charumbira arrive.

1144: Vice President Mnangagwa has arrived at the Nationa Sports Stadium where the main independence celebrations are taking place.

Govt appointed first Zifa executive

Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent

THE Government set the foundation for the development of football soon after the attainment of our hard won Independence by appointing the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) executive in 1980.

The interim committee, which was appointed by then Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Joice Mujuru, was initially headed by Moroni Mushambadope. Mushambadope was replaced by the legendary Nelson “Jumbo Jet’’ Chirwa, three months later.

Other members of the committee included the vice chairman Douglas Mkhwananzi, Peter Nemapare (secretary), Frank Valdemarca (treasurer), Ishmael Mussa (fixtures secretary) with Ndumiso Gumede and Clifford Chiripamberi being the two committee members.

One of the surviving members of that committee is Gumede whose love for the game has seen him holding different positions at Zifa over the years with the most recent being the vice presidency from 2010 to 2014.

The former Highlanders chairman said they took up their appointment with glee and were happy to be coming in at a time when the country was just being re-admitted back into the international football community, thanks to the country’s hard won independence.

“It was a period of great excitement for the country because Rhodesia had been suspended by Fifa following the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965 by the then colonial administration led by Ian Smith,’’ said Gumede.

“Just prior to independence the country had been involved in several matches against South Africa but we had to steer clear of that country because it had been banned by Fifa hence we waited for the lifting of our suspension.

“However, there was great euphoria from all quarters of the country with our return to playing against other countries and being able to send a team as a country to international tournaments.”

Gumede said the then ministry of sport with the full blessings of the Government took it upon itself to send the whole Zifa executive to the Confederation of African Football offices in Cairo, Egypt for a familiarisation tour and to enable them to learn the ropes of football administration.

The trip, which was fully-funded by Government, saw them coming to terms with Caf and Fifa regulations enabling them to effectively create proper football structures at home and they also redrafted the Zifa constitution to ensure it was in conformity with the Caf and Fifa statutes.

Following their return from Egypt, Gumede said they held several workshops on administration to ensure the development and running of the game would unfold smoothly.

“The workshops enabled us to get people involved in football on the same wavelength as us, the executive. We extended an invitation to Caf who came into the country and held several workshops, particularly related to refereeing and on that front we had to fast track several young referees into the course and I am glad we managed to produce the likes of Felix Tangawarima and Wilfred Mukuna,’’ said Gumede, adding that would not have been possible without Independence.

“The course they went through was shorter and meant to graduate them quickly into the field. We were lucky we had such talented youngsters and their work in the pitch over the years and positions they hold now clearly show how able they were,” he said.

Gumede, who is Highlanders’ chief executive officer, said with prudent planning and administration that executive was able to buy properties for Zifa that include current head office at 53 Livingstone Avenue in Harare and 39a Fife Street office in Bulawayo. He, however, said it was unfortunate that the two properties were now under threat due to the country’s football governing body’s debts.

“At the time we were operating from offices close to Bhadella Wholesalers in Harare and soon after acquiring the properties, we received a visit from then Fifa president João Havelange who was deeply impressed by our acquisitions and he shed tears saying only if other African associations would follow in our footsteps,’’ reminisced Gumede.

“He (Havelange) showed his appreciation by sending us various office equipment that included copiers and typewriters as soon as he arrived in Switzerland,” he said.

The former Zifa chief executive officer said during their time in office, the economy was in the hands of people who understood the responsibility of the corporate world towards sport and one did not need to send a proposal or begging bowl as companies came flocking to Zifa offices with funding initiatives and the body even had the luxury of rejecting some of the sponsorship.

He said it was unfortunate that now Zifa and other sporting bodies had to carry begging bowls to companies for them to receive any funding but still they were struggling to attract funding.

Gumede, while declining to comment much on the present state of football administration, said he expected it to have improved since during their days they operated the association on a part time basis, after working hours or on weekends. The interim committee, whose tenure was not set came to an end in 1983 when football stakeholders clamoured for elections to give them a legitimate term and the whole executive was retained besides Gumede who was unfortunately booted out and he was replaced with Gibson Homela.

 

Independence brought sporting opportunities for born frees

Sports Reporter
IT was a dawn for a new era when Zimbabwe finally gained self-rule in 1980.

Independence from colonial bondage ushered in many opportunities to the people of this nation, opportunities that had previously been available to a few selected people due to the Rhodesian imbroglio.

The Zimbabwe’s sporting fraternity buoyed by the advantage of self rule has gone on to produce several sporting stars that were born after independence.

These include:

Tatenda Taibu

Former Zimbabwe cricket captain and wicketkeeper, Tatenda Taibu. Taibu is one of the most talented players to emerge in sport after 1980, joining numerous other “born frees” who have excelled in different sporting disciplines.

While the sport was prior to independence a preserve of players of colour, Taibu seized the opportunity and managed to hold his own. He subsequently earned himself a promotion to become the youngest Test captain in the history of the sport at 20 years of age when he captained Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka in 2004.

Born in 1983, Taibu made his first-class debut at a tender age of 16, and made his debut for the national team in 2001 at 18. In 2003, he was appointed vice-captain to Heath Streak during the cricket team’s tour of England.

He took a two-year break for Zimbabwe from 2005 to 2007 when he was the captain of Namibia for a season, and later for the Cape Cobras in South Africa for another season.

He made his return to the Zimbabwean side in a series against India A in July 2007, registering a century. The following month Zimbabwe hosted South Africa for a three-game ODI series and in the final game Taibu scored a career best 107 not out. It was the first ODI century by a Zimbabwean against South Africa.

When Zimbabwe returned to Test cricket in 2011, Taibu was selected to play in their one-off Tests against Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand.

Taibu called time on his career in July 2012. During a short but illustrious event, Taibu scored 1 546 runs, 57 catches and five stumpings in Test matches, while making 3 393 runs in ODIs with 114 catches and 33 stumpings.He finished as Zimbabwe’s fourth highest run-scorer in ODIs with the second most number of dismissals as a wicketkeeper, behind Andy Flower.

Kirsty Coventry

Popularly known as the golden girl for her emphatic showing at various editions of the Olympics, where she managed to win gold medals, Coventry has shone in swimming and managed to set world records in various categories.

Born after independence in 1983, Coventry attained a scholarship to Auburn University in Alabama, in the United States where she perfected her swimming and was able to conquer the swimming world.

At the 2004 Summer Olympics, in Athens, Greece, she won three Olympic medals: a gold, a silver, and a bronze, while at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing she won four medals: a gold and three silver.

She was feted by the iconic President Robert Mugabe who fittingly christened her “our golden girl.” President Mugabe presented her US$100 000 in cash for her 2008 Olympic feats.

Coventry broke her first world record in the 200m backstroke at the Missouri Grand Prix in 2008. She bettered the mark, set by Krisztina Egerszegi in August 1991, the second oldest swimming world record. Her new record was 2:06:39. She continued her winning streak at the meet by winning the 100 m backstroke and the 200 m individual medley.

Coventry is the third woman in history to break the 1:00 minute barrier in the 100 m backstroke, and the second to break the 59-second barrier.

Takanyi Garanganga

Another Born Free Born in Mbare in 1990, Garanganga started playing tennis at the age of eight and is the currently the top-ranked player from Zimbabwe.

Garanganga’s first taste of success and show of promise came at the age of 14 when he won the African Junior Championship.

This success sparked the interest of Zimbabwean coach Brian de Villiers, who took Garanganga to the United States. After a career on the junior circuit and graduating from high school at Keystone National High School in 2008, Garanganga turned down offers to play collegiate tennis at the University of Georgia and the University of Illinois to focus on a professional career, which has however been hampered by lack of funding.

Garanganga has primarily spent his time on the Futures circuit, while also playing at ATP World Tour qualifying tournaments. He began playing on the tour in 2008, competing in tournaments in the United States and Africa. He is also part of Zimbabwe’s Davis Cup team.

His most notable tournament success was winning the gold medal at the 2011 All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique in the Men’s Singles’ category.

Kudakwashe Mahachi

Football is a sport that has always been dominated by black people in the country and there are several stars that have emerged since majority rule in 1980.

Mahachi, born in 1993, is among several stars that have emerged recently in the country’s most popular sport and managed to capture the nation with his fresh brand of football.

The fact that rumours were swirling that he would be moving to either Highlanders or Dynamos after he had been signed up by South African side, Mamelodi Sundowns at the beginning of 2014 was a testimony of how much in demand the young player was in.

A good showing by the midfielder at African Nations Championships in early 2014 proved to be a turning point as it led to his move to South Africa. However, to show his potential, Mahachi was invited for trials by French Ligue 1 side, Monaco and the only reason the move failed to materialize was reportedly because of huge demands from Sundowns.

Nkembe as Mahachi is popularly known started his football career at Highlanders as a junior but was then snapped up by Bantu Rovers, who later loaned him to Chicken Inn FC. He was featured among the country’s top soccer stars, two years in a row in 2012 and 2013. He had a six month stint with Highlanders before moving to South Africa last year.

His sublime dribbling skills on the ball coupled with speed and a powerful shot have made him one of the top players in the land. He is a regular among the national team players.

 

Uhuru ushered in boxing heroes, but . . .

Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
WHILE the attainment of independence by Zimbabwe in 1980 was expected to usher in gains in various sporting disciplines, it has however been a tale of mixed fortunes for boxing.

As a sport, boxing has seen pugilists rise and rise and stakes get higher and higher but the number of people taking up the sport has declined and action in boxing has nosedived.

One of the country’s top boxing trainers, Philip “Striker” Ndlovu says the sport’s decline has been marked by a lack of corporate support resulting in the reduction of professional bouts and that had seen boxers failing to maintain their consistency and easily losing titles they would have won.

But Ndlovu was also quick to point out self-rule had also come with some notable achievements saying it was pleasing to note that the country had managed to produce a world champion in the name of Charles Manyuchi, the reigning World Boxing Council welterweight title holder.

He said that was a sign of the immense talent that the country had.

He said while there were several boxers that had emerged in Zimbabwe over the past years most were only able to win Commonwealth and African titles hence Manyuchi’s feat to win a world title showed his immense talent.

“I saw Manyuchi in the ring during the 2007 National Youth Games and I predicted that he would hog the limelight in the sport because he exhibited great skill and talent,” said the boxing coach.

Ndlovu said over the past few years ring rust has become synonymous with a chorus in local boxing circles, as pugilists have virtually failed to secure fights to keep them in pristine condition due to lack of funding.

“Before independence there were a lot of bouts that used to take place with about five top professional bouts being held every year and this kept the sport in the limelight and attracted a lot of boxers but after independence there was a gradual decrease in the number of bouts held and this impacted negatively on those interested in joining the sport.

“At this point in time we should be having about 12 to 15 top professional bouts throughout the country but that is not the case in Bulawayo. We last had a professional bout in 2011 and it had come after a long absence of fights,” he said.

Ndlovu, who turned professional in 1978, felt that the greatest local boxer was Langton “Schoolboy” Tinago, who he said was immensely talented in the sport and made huge achievements winning several commonwealth titles.

Tinago could have achieved more had it not been for the sanctions imposed on the then Rhodesia by Britain during the UDI era and the sporting sanctions that were in force then, which prevented local boxers from featuring in international tournaments.

Schoolboy remains Zimbabwe’s unsung sporting hero despite having earned himself a place in the Guinness Book of Records after he became the only three-time Commonwealth boxing champion after he grabbed two lightweight crowns and a super-featherweight.

Tinago, who largely perfected his art after independence, was rewarded for his achievements as he was awarded the best boxer of the century by the Zimbabwe Boxing Board of Control.

“When we used to box, we used to fight at least once a month and we would get sponsorship from big companies because back then the Government would exempt them from paying tax or deduct a certain amount from their taxes if they promoted sports. We used to have Victoria Foods and National Foods here in Gweru sponsoring boxing,’’ Tinago was quoted by our sister paper, The Herald, recently.

“There are fellows such as Jay Naidoo, Ringo Star and Kid power who held their own before independence, who could have done better in Independent Zimbabwe. And after independence there were several boxers among them the late Proud “Kilimanjaro” Chinembiri, Alfonso Zvenyika, Modecai Donga, and Thamsanqa Dube, who did the country proud, winning the World Boxing Association Pan African heavyweight title.

“There are many boxers who have emerged and done well but they have lacked consistency because of lack of fights. Despite beating South African Jake Els in 2009, Dube struggled to find someone to organise a match where he would defend his belt. Manyuchi is now holed up in Zambia and that is where his fights are being organised,” said Ndlovu, who has nurtured the likes of Dube among several local boxers in the region.

Striker, who turned to coaching after sustaining a serious injury, said it was up to the corporate world to come to the rescue of boxing and allow talented pugilists to bring glory to the nation.

He said the sport’s fortunes could turn around if there was a buy-in from sponsors who would fund bouts.

“We can produce top quality boxers who can go on and dominate the sport throughout the world if we are better resourced but with the financial situation we are going to remain grounded with one boxer in a while emerging to hog the headlines,” he said.

 

IN REMEMBRANCE OF A COMRADE WHO NEVER LIVED TO SEE INDEPENDENT ZIMBABWE: ROGERS (ALFRED NIKITA) MANGENA

Brigadier General Abel Mazinyane (Retired)

HE was more than a good commander. He was a military genius. He made one do things one never believed they were capable of doing in the execution of the armed struggle. He had this rare gift among many military leaders I have met, “Firm and Fair”.

Under his leadership, ZPRA pinned down the Rhodesian army which had a highly efficient mobile army. The Rhodesian army was highly trained in anti-guerrilla warfare. The Rhodesian army had sent their officers to South Africa, Israel, US and Portugal for training. The Portuguese army had crafted an effective anti-guerrilla warfare strategy through General Ariaga. This strategy involved de-populating areas where guerrillas were operating. In Rhodesia, it was the so-called protected villages.

All white Rhodesians (half-a-million of them) were armed and organised into various military formations that were part of the Rhodesian Defence Forces. Other races were also forcibly drafted into the defence of Rhodesia. The police (BSAP) was turned into an anti-guerrilla force. Rhodesia had about 40 000 men under arms 24/7.

The Rhodesian government even created units who operated outside the parameters of international military norms, eg the Selous Scouts. This unit was not subject to the Rhodesian Defence Act or Geneva Convention. They were more of a private army. Their speciality was infiltrating guerrilla ranks or operating separately as pseudo guerrilla units. This unit could kidnap, torture and execute anyone it considered a threat to their operations.

Despite all the above sophistication, the Rhodesian Defence Forces were made to chase shadows by the ZPRA High Command led by Alfred Nikita Mangena. The command included people like VP Phelekezela Mphoko, Cephas Cele, Sotsha Ngwenya (JD), Tapson Sibanda (Terror) and Lookout Masuku. To me this was the most efficient and effective team. It achieved a lot with little resources. It laid a firm foundation for ZPRA.

I first met Nikita in Morogoro, Tanzania, early 1970. He was my military instructor. He always turned out in military gear and looking fit. When he gave a task he wanted it accomplished. I once tested his wrath at training during an exercise for an OAU delegation to demonstrate our readiness to be deployed for operations. I was the sapper (military engineer) of the section that was to conduct the demonstration. My task was to blow up a tree to block the OAU delegation which was the enemy for the purpose of our demonstration. Unfortunately, the explosive did not go off and the delegation drove through unmolested by our mock attack. The attack was to be triggered by my setting off the explosives. He made me investigate the electric cable from the battery to the explosives. The rule of thumb with explosives is that whenever one is carrying out the above investigation, he or she must be in possession of the source of power — the battery. Mangena kept the battery. Lucky for me the failure was caused by the rain that poured down heavily while we waited in ambush and the wet soil caused a short circuit where the wires had lost insulation.

I shall never forget these incidents because it tested my resolve to take orders as they were given. The ZPRA High Command under Mangena crafted a training programme that produced a very efficient ZPRA fighter, who could zero his/her rifle or machine gun for accuracy, manufacture explosives with local material, lay mines, disarm enemy mines, operate a few artillery weapons, conduct first aid and many other capabilities that made him/her the most feared guerrilla fighter south of the Zambezi. The ZPRA High Command under Mangena left no stone unturned to expose ZPRA fighters to military experiences, even attaching some to other liberation movements outside Africa to gain experience eg Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO). During operations in Rhodesia ZPRA fighters instilled fear among Rhodesian soldiers that they were scared to sleep in tents out of fear of ZPRA fighters. I remember an incident when some ZPRA fighter inside Rhodesia annihilated an enemy platoon which as a precaution decided to sleep outside its bush camp, outside their tent. The Rhodesian soldiers were attacked at their new found safety haven. They should have not used perfumed soap “WAYA LAPHO ENGIYAKHONA”.

The ZPRA commander liked to throw a challenge to junior commanders. For instance, when regional commanders kept asking for reinforcements he gave an order that reinforcements shall be exchanged one for one, one trained guerilla for one recruit crossed into Zambia by the field commander requesting for reinforcement. This boomeranged on him as a trickle of recruits crossing the Zambezi suddenly turned into a deluge. Now the high command found itself begging for training centres far and wide; let alone poor ever hard working instructors who had to turn the rag tag army of recruits into perfect soldiers. Poor Gagisa, Sigoge, Daki and others had to do the above.

When I was appointed to the ZPRA High Command I discovered that the grass was not greener on the other side. The job was highly demanding and demanded a lot of me. Mangena demanded a flow of well-written reports. He marked reports like examination papers just short of allocating marks. Cde Cephas Cele nicknamed him “Headmaster”.

He was a man of vision in that he always planned strategically against the enemy. For example, the Southern front (border Botswana/Rhodesia) was initiated as early as 1974. My dear comrade Matswaha found himself thrown at the deep end. He was sent to kick-start the operations. I was the first to be sent to Botswana in 1973 to assess the feasibility of opening the office in Francistown. I was excited about that possibility, it was only after meeting and talking to Matswaha in 1976 in Mozambique under Zimbabwe People’s Army (ZIPA) that I realised that it was not a walk in the park. The first female member of the ZAPU national executive to go out of Rhodesia to lead the armed struggle, Jane Ngwenya, was sometimes used as a transporter of armament for this front. The lady was dicing with death. The front operated with a full structure about four years later.

Comrade Mangena together with his colleagues in the ZPRA High Command introduced urban fighting units. These units faced challenges such as selection of members, training, armament, communication and resupply.

SELECTION: The selection was a challenge because it wanted people who could easily blend with urban society but not too familiar to have been missed during their absence when they joined the armed struggle. It was important to know if a member had a criminal record. Rhodesians were recruiting from prisons.

RESUPPLY: Resupply of these units was a challenge because their weapons had to be different. The supply route tedious and communications a nightmare. The objective of urban units was to create uncertainty among settlers. The settler government was desperate to keep whites believing it was on top of the situation. Farmers were abandoning their farms for urban safety. A bullet fired in town spelt doom for the government, as whites would leave in droves. Whites were the backbone of the settler regime. “Strategic planning Madala”, as my comrade Billy Mzamo would say.

Comrade Mangena was a disciplinarian. Any deviation from laid down procedures he did not tolerate. I remember a case of comrade Chiboyi. Comrade Chiboyi intercepted a white tourist who had strayed very close to their base at Chief Nkuni area near Victoria Falls on the Zambian side. The lady was photographing wildlife. Comrade Chiboyi intercepted her as she was heading straight for their base. As he was walking her back to Victoria Falls the lady suddenly bolted shouting “help, help!”, I think on arrival at her hotel she reported to the Zambian authorities because I was summoned by the commander and given orders to immediately go to Livingstone, arrest Chiboyi and hand him over to the Zambian authorities.

On arrival in Livingstone I was met by Matshimini, the regional commander, who persuaded me against handing over of Chiboyi to the Zambian authorities. One of the reasons he gave was, if Chiboyi was handed over to the Zambian authorities it would take a long time to clear his name and have him released. My orders were clear, Chiboyi had violated Zambian laws and he had to be locked up. ZPRA had to maintain good relations with the Zambian authorities. Chiboyi had to go. However, I approached the Zambian authorities to try and strike a favourable compromise. The security authorities were very sympathetic even suggesting that it would have been better if we had eliminated the suspect leaving no traces. I found this ridiculous.

When I reported back to Mangena that I was negotiating with Zambians he asked “is Chiboyi under arrest?” When I said “no” he became very angry. He later clearly told me that if Chiboyi is not in custody within an hour he was asking the Zambians to lock me up. I was caught between a rock and a hard surface. Anyway we had to resort to breaking into the lady’s hotel room to look for incriminating material and exonerate our comrade.

Things all ended well, our comrade did not see the inside of the Zambian jail.

The other case was of a comrade who had a misunderstanding with a Zambian citizen and I was ordered by the commander to go and hand him over to the Zambian authorities. Well, I thought this was a straightforward and simple mission. However, on arrival at the base I found out that the culprit had crossed the Zambezi and undertook an act of bravado. He had crossed into Rhodesia and brought back mementos of his bravery. These included enemy uniforms and body parts. He was now a hero. For me, going back to the commander without accomplishing my mission meant that my chances of keeping my head on my shoulders were zero.

Thanks to all the gods and Mazinyane ancestors, JZ Moyo and JD immediately arrived at the base. I then gave a report to JD (chief of operations). Pheew! I was saved by the bell.

Under the leadership of Mangena, one ZPRA department that made strides was communication. This sub department became so sophisticated that the enemy was desperate to infiltrate it. One particular case in point is when the military intelligence intercepted an enemy agent that had been sent to infiltrate the ZPRA communications. During interrogation he claimed to be a disgruntled Rhodesian soldier who wanted to join the armed struggle. At this point I realised that we might have struck an intelligence gold mine (I was the chief of ZPRA intelligence). I requested the assistance of ZPRA director of communication (the chief ZPRA communication was brigadier General Ambrose Mutinhiri) (retired), comrade Zwafa (Elias Moyo) because this Rhodesian soldier had given me his regimental number. Zwafa, through his records discovered that this man was not a private soldier but a sergeant in the Rhodesian army with the signals corps. He had told me that he had been serving under one engineers company in Bulawayo but we discovered he had been stationed in Bindura. On giving him his details, he realised there was no need to tell us lies. ZPRA communication had been listening to Rhodesian army communication. ZPRA was deadly.

To be continued next week. . .

 

Liberation war names — how they inspired fighters

Tinomuda Chakanyuka Sunday News Reporter
NAMING newly-born children has always been a sacred process in most African societies, such that most indigenous names of children tend to have intrinsic meanings and significance embedded in them.

Traditional African names often reflect circumstances at the time of birth, or refer to the time or day when the child was born.

Other names reflect the birth order of the newborn, while some names describe the parents’ reaction to the birth and others are descriptive of the newborn or of desired characteristics.

Some children were named after ancestors or elders in society whose characteristics were generally revered and the child would be expected to live up to them.

Historically, the different epochs that societies go through, have seen interesting names being coined; reflective of the period, either in celebration or mourning of the circumstances experienced.

Zimbabwe endured a protracted liberation war as black freedom fighters fought the white settler Government. A significant number of children born during this period were thus given names reflective of the bitter struggle for independence as parents expressed different sentiments towards the war.

Some names expressed wishes for independence, some urged the liberation fighters to fight on, some reflected an inherent desire for self-rule among the black majority, while some exuded the optimism indigenous people had as the war was drawing to an end.

Names such as Maqhawe, Nkululeko, Kurirai, Dingilizwe and Tongai among other such names are common among people who were born during the liberation struggle, at independence and just after independence.

Veteran journalist and social commentator Mr Saul Gwakuba Ndlovu said the trend of giving children names that were reflective of experiences and aspirations is inherently part of African societies from time immemorial.

Mr Ndlovu said from late 1959 when African Nationalism spread to Zimbabwe, most children born in the country were given various names that showed that locals had embraced the essence of nationalism and need for independence.

“Some children were even given names of African Nationalists such as Patrice from Patrice Lumumba, some were named Kwame from Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana. This was reflective of the nationalistic spirit that was sweeping across the country then at that time.

“Since ancient times, African names have always had meaning and it’s only now that we are seeing children being named simply because parents may love the sound of the name. Traditionally a person is given a name that has a meaning, one is either named after a character parents hope their children will live up to.

“Naming of newly-born children is an important and significant process in African societies. So you will find that most children born during certain periods have names reflective of significant events that could have occurred during that time. Those that were born during the liberation struggle had their names derived from the war, names that were reflective of what was going on during the war and so on,” he said.

Sunday News caught up with a few individuals who were born during the liberation struggle, at independence and after independence, who were given names reflective of the war, and discussed their names, the significance those names had to them and the relation of the names to what was going on during that period.

Born in 1980, with a unique name, is Nkayi district administrator Mr Zimbabwe Ndlovu. His name is unique for obvious reasons.

Mr Ndlovu believes his parents were overjoyed by the fact that the country had attained independence which had been yearned for for years, and the only way they could express the joy was to name their child Zimbabwe.

“I believe my parents were celebrating that finally the country had gained its hard-fought independence and decided to give me the name of the country as a way of celebrating this milestone.

“As you might know this is what most people do, that is when a major occasion takes place like the soccer World Cup for example they name their newborn children along the lines of that event. However, I am very proud of this name because I can boldly say I not only share a birth year with the country but I also share a name,” said Mr Ndlovu.

Veteran journalist Mr Nkululeko Sibanda was born on 26 October 1980, six months after the country got its independence.

Nkululeko is a Ndebele word that means independence and Sibanda believes his name indicated the celebratory mood that his parents were in after being blessed with a son in the same year their country attained self-rule.

“This was a decision that the parents obviously took to symbolise the country’s attaining its independence six months earlier, don’t forget that this was a time when everyone was in a celebratory mood, with some hardly believing that indeed independence had come hence my name Nkululeko.

“Although this was a decision entirely made by my parents, I stand today proud to have such a name as it constantly reminds me that I am part of a community that is forever grateful to the people who went out to the bush to fight for the liberation of this country. As I stand I represent more of a thank you token to all these freedom fighters,” said Mr Sibanda.

Mr Lizwe Jamela was born Dingilizwe Jamela in January 1980 in Mberengwa after ceasefire had been declared the previous year. Now a human rights lawyer based Bulawayo, Mr Jamela told Sunday News his father participated in the liberation war, and gave him the name Dingilizwe after returning from the bush and being blessed with a bouncing baby boy. The name was indicative of the purpose Lizwe’s father and many other liberation war fighters had gone to war for.

Dingilizwe, translated to English means “search for the country”, which was the reason his father and fellow liberators had taken up guns against the white settler regime.

“My name was later shortened to Lizwe because my parents felt that I would have problems writing it at school. I never used to like the name at first as it evoked sad emotions but with time I managed to get over it. Now I’m proud to have such a name maybe because I’m a little mature now. I feel honoured to have such a name which symbolises the ushering of the country’s freedom. I guess it was double joy from my parents, having their son’s birth coinciding with the country’s independence,” he said.

Mr Freedom Mupanedemo, just like Mr Jamela was born in July 1980 in Mberengwa, three months after the country celebrated independence. His father was also a liberation war fighter and named his son Freedom, to celebrate the freedom that had been brought by the liberation war.

“During that period, I’m told, the country was still in a celebratory mood after attaining independence from the Rhodesian government. As a way of celebrating the independence, my parents gave me that name. It is an honour to have such a name that is significant to the attainment of independence, I feel proud.

“To some extent that name influences the sense of patriotism that is in me,” he said.

Mupanedemo is a journalist with ZimTravel magazine, a tourism magazine under the Zimpapers family, having started his career with the Chronicle as its Midlands correspondent.

Mr Kurirai Chakanyuka, a teacher at Chironde in Shurugwi rural in the Midlands province was born on July 10 1979. During this period optimism of winning the war had gathered current among the black population as they felt the pendulum was now titling in their favour.

A group of liberation war fighters passed through the Chakanyuka homestead in Chirumanzu district in the Midlands province, a few days after the family had been blessed with a bouncing baby boy.

The family, Sunday News was told, Christened their new addition Kuriraimabhunu, as a message of encouragement to the liberation war fighters to continue fighting and defeat the white settler government.

Kuriraimabhunu, loosely translated to English means “defeat the whites”.

“My name was later shortened to Kurirai when my parents got my birth cirtificate, but the meaning remains the same. It was a dedication to the liberation fighters urging them to defeat the colonialists.

“I guess my parents felt that liberation was now closer and they were so optimistic that the war would be won. I feel happy to have such a unique and significant name, a name that bears such an intrinsic meaning,” he said.

Mr Maqhawe Sibanda, the Zanu-PF Bulawayo province youth wing secretary for transport and welfare, was born on 10 August 1983, three years after the country got its independence. Both his parents participated in the liberation war and as a way of honouring their gallant counterparts in the war they named their son Maqhawe, which is a Ndebele name for heroes.

“Of course it is an honour to have such a name. It gives me a sense of obligation to be patriotic in honour of the liberation war cadres after whom I was named. Actually the name is what inspired me to get into politics,” he said.

Although he was born three years after independence, his name remains among those unique names that are indicative of the joy that swept across the country after attainment of independence.

There are several other names with similar significance, names such Sizanqoba, Sibangilizwe, Sinqobile, Tichakunda, Tichatonga, Tongai, among a host of such names that tell an interesting story of how Zimbabweans reacted to the liberation war and the attainment of independence.

 

Pressure mounts over Rhodes’ plaque

Vusumuzi Dube Sunday News Reporter

WITH pressure mounting over the continued preservation of artefacts in remembrance of colonialist Cecil John Rhodes, questions have been raised over the Bulawayo City Council’s resolution to uncover a plaque that is seen to demean black Zimbabweans.

The plaque which is located at the main entrance of the City Hall’s municipal office was uncovered in June 2010 after a resolution was passed by the local authority, noting that this was “part of history that had to be celebrated”.

In the plaque, Rhodes is depicted seated on a higher rock, seemingly addressing the Ndebele chiefs who are seated on the ground, in what has been said to have been peace negotiations.

According to the local authority, the Indaba plaque has historic significance for the history of Bulawayo and ushered in a different era in the history of the people of Bulawayo, hence the resolution to open it after it had been under by a wooden cover with people complaining that it was demeaning and portrayed Africans as bowing down to Rhodes’ leadership.

The uncovering of the plaque came at a time when Government, through the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) on 14 August 1980 ordered the removal of Rhodes’ statue which was situated at the intersection of Main Street (now Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo) and 8th Avenue. The statue is now located outside the Bulawayo museum.

“The Memorial Rhodes/ Matebele Indaba plaque bronze panel outside the doorway of the City Hall (Municipal Offices), depicts the first Indaba held on 21 August 1896 between Cecil Rhodes and the Matebele in the Matopos when peace was made with the Matebele. Mr Rhodes was accompanied by Dr Hans Sauer, Colonel Johan Colenbrander and Mr Vere Stent. The Matebele/ Ndebele were led by Chief Somabulane.

“The Indaba plaque was designed by Professor F W Armstrong, University of Witwatersrand and cast by Signor R Vignali, Pretoria. It was unveiled by Lady Stanley on 4 November 1940 and the ceremony was attended by Mr Vere Stent and five of the Africans who had been present at the Indaba, the Indaba Plaque had the wooden cover removed following a Council resolution of 2nd June 2010,” said the council’s senior public relations officer, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu.

In defending the importance of the plaque, Mrs Mpofu said it symbolised the ushering in of a different era in the history of the people of Bulawayo.

In an interview with Sunday News, National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe director Dr Godfrey Mahachi said while such artefacts symbolised a part of the country’s history there was no need to celebrate Rhodes as a figure.

“What Zimbabwe did after attaining its independence was to pull down Rhodes’ statues as acknowledgement of the fact that we were not going to celebrate or associate with Rhodes’s figure.

“However, we cannot pretend that this history does not exist; if there are places that remind us of these times they should be known. It is not like we are celebrating colonialism but we are simply acknowledging our history,” said Dr Mahachi.

Questioned on the logic of covering then later uncovering of the plaque, Dr Mahachi said this was more of a resolve by the local authority to acknowledge a part of the country’s history.

“I don’t think it’s about tourism or celebrating the life of Rhodes and I don’t believe the council uncovered the plaque in bad faith but it’s all about acknowledging a part of our history,” said Dr Mahachi.

However, various academics and independent analysts have added to the debate surrounding the plaque and the exhumation of Rhodes’ grave at the Matopo hills, lambasting the local authority for celebrating conquest.

National University of Science and Technology lecturer and University of Johannesburg Post doctorate fellow, Dr Shepherd Mpofu said colonialism was all about subjugation and images such as the Indaba plaque represented this subjugation.

“We can protect the memorials in the museums where those with interest may go and see them, the argument that preserving colonial statues and symbols in the public landscape helps preserve history is not only flawed but strange. “The artefacts are and were signifiers of conquest and domination, their presence serves that purpose. The West views them and makes pilgrimages to these places not with a mindset that there is a new dispensation but in celebration of their ancestors’ conquest. We, on the other hand see it as continual emasculation,” said Dr Mpofu.

He said for Zimbabwe to attain total independence they had to push for other freedoms that included decolonising the public space.

“The bottom line is some of these things have to be done in the process of nation-making. We can take the plaques to museums. We cannot preserve monuments of our castration all in the name of history and tourism,” said Dr Mpofu.

Another independent analyst Mr Khanyile Mlotshwa accused BCC of investing a lot of money towards the celebration of conquest, which included last year’s 120 years celebrations which he said symbolised Rhode’s conquest of Bulawayo.

“It must be stated that Matabeleland, and specifically Bulawayo, as it exists today is a manifestation of a colonial dream, Cecil John Rhodes’s dream, built upon the conquered dreams of our ancestors. So much attest to that especially Rhodes’ grave in Matopos, the insulting colonial triumphalist piece of art above the City Hall’s entrance to the council chambers, and the fact that last year the Bulawayo City Council invested so much in celebrating 120 years since King Lobengula’s Bulawayo was replaced by Cecil John Rhodes’s Bulawayo.

“Talk about tourism ignores the fact that none of the people of Matabeleland have benefited from money linked to the presence of those bones at our spiritual mountain. It is also for that reason that the piece of art work at the City Hall must be removed and replaced with something that speaks of our independence,” said Mr Mlotshwa.

He said people could still acknowledge that these Rhodes artefacts were part of our history when they are far from the public domain.

“The BCC, and all those who call themselves our leaders in whatever capacity, should start investing in joining the subaltern of Matabeleland in celebrating the Rozvi rulers of Khami, celebrating Kings Mzilikazi and Lobengula Khumalo and Queen Lozikeyi and other queens silenced by history, reflecting on the fall of the Matabeleland people at the banks of Tshangane river.

“Rhodes should not be allowed to mess Matabeleland even in death. As the architect of both South Africa and Zimbabwe, Rhodes continues to haunt us in many practical ways today, we need deeper reform and transformation, and that starts with deconstructing the symbols associated with the architect of this coloniality that we are caught up in. For that reason, and just as the stone birds stolen from Great Zimbabwe flew back home, Rhodes should also go back home to England in every sense,” said Mr Mlotshwa.

However, Prince Peter Zwide-Ka-Langa Khumalo, a descendant of King Lobengula said it was mere activists’ emotions to want to remove either the plaque or exhume Rhodes’ remains noting that these were an important part of our history that had to be preserved.

“If we remove that plaque because it reminds us of Rhodes then why don’t we go around destroying all the buildings in the city that were built during the colonial regime. I view this as mere activists’ emotions because we just cannot go around removing plaques and digging up graves.

“Those who are saying this plaque should be taken to the museum should think what role it will play at the museum which is different from the role it is playing at the city hall; this plaque represents a part of history of Zimbabwe and the Ndebele in particular,” said Mr Khumalo.

He said it would be folly for people to want to break the history of the country all in the name of activism.

The latest debate on artefacts meant as remembrance to Rhodes comes after South African students at the University of Cape Town staged protests a couple of weeks ago that led to the removal of Rhodes’ statue from the campus.

Zanu-PF activist and former commissar for Masotsha Ndlovu district, Cde Zweli Malinga, was recently quoted in the media arguing that Rhodes’ grave also had to be exhumed and his remains repatriated to England as the grave was a symbol of celebrating white colonialism. In 2012, Government blocked plans by war veterans to exhume Rhodes’ grave and return his remains to the United Kingdom, saying his legacy was part of the national history.

The war vets blamed drought and the dry spell in some parts of the country on Rhodes’ grave, saying if his bones were returned, the country’s fortunes could change.

Cde Cain Mathema, then Bulawayo governor and now Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs minister, supported this argument, saying Rhodes’ remains were to blame for the lack of rains in Matobo.

 

Rev Nxumalo: An unsung hero

Vusumuzi Dube Sunday News Reporter
AS he sits in his small makeshift study just outside his eight-roomed Ntabazinduna house, he spots a sombre but welcoming smile. He immediately rebukes this news crew for coming late for the scheduled meeting but before long he is welcoming again and goes straight into a jovial conversation.

In the study there are a couple of bookshelves with rows of all sorts of old books. Judging by their covers and dustiness, they must be old. In front of him there is a Bible and a copy of the Chronicle which every once in a while he meticulously studies, constantly reminding this news crew that he was a newspaper vendor for 21 years, hence he was more of a journalist than anyone else.

He then brings out a counter book made into a register of sorts and immediately goes into his life story.

This is 87-year-old Reverend Siboniso Bafana Nxumalo.

The reverend was ordained on 26 February 1964 at the age of 36 at the United Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa. He was stationed at David Livingstone Mission before being moved to Bulawayo.

During his life as a minister of the church he was chairperson of the Ministers’ fraternity for 14 years and also was chairperson of the Christian Council of Zimbabwe (Southern Region), again for 14 years — in both instances it was a stretch from 1978 to 1992 when he retired.

However, it is not his life as a reverend that he talks about with glee — it is only three years of his life that will always remain embraced in his heart.

These are the years 1979 to 1981. These are the years when Rev Nxumalo made a daring but huge contribution to the country’s history.

During these years he used his position as chairperson of the Christian Council of Zimbabwe (Southern Region) to source food and feed thousands of guerillas who returned from war at his Njube church.

So dedicated was he to the job that he not only fed the returning freedom fighters but he held daily sermons with them, counselling them and helping them to fit into society after years of being in the bush and gruesome experiences.

When he talks of this period, he spots a permanent broad smile showing the register of all freedom fighters who were receiving rations from his church.

“When the freedom fighters came they were wrongfully being referred to as refugees but eventually they got the rightful tag of being war returnees. I personally took it upon myself to source food for them which I then disbursed to them. The rations I gave them included mealie-meal, cooking oil, beans and kapenta fish.

“I saw the importance of this because I noted that these people were returning from a protracted war with no source of income; the only job they knew was fighting but now they were coming back to the larger society hence the need for someone’s help to put something on their tables to help feed them,” said Rev Nxumalo.

He said in total he managed to serve over

3 000 war returnees at his Njube church and close to 100 in Ntabazinduna.

“Some of those that we served were either injured or crippled in the war hence we had to be extra careful in the manner we handled them. It was a difficult time but it took guts and worse still I was committed because I was doing it for my country, it was the best possible service I could do as contribution to our freedom.

“These people also required a great deal of spiritual support. I remember their language was very coarse and they found it difficult to cohabit with the larger populace because of their experience at war, which is why I braved on and even held sermons every day in the morning with them. To this day, I meet some of these former freedom fighters and they thank me for my service,” said Rev Nxumalo.

As he continues to reflect on his life, Rev Nxumalo also reveals another accolade which very few might have known about — in the 80s he was the personal chaplain to the late Vice- President Dr Joshua Nkomo.

He proudly shows us a portrait of himself being inducted as the moderator for Matabeleland in his church in 1981. In the background, Dr Nkomo can be seen, all smiles, applauding the induction together with another Zanu-PF stalwart Cde Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu.

“I know that a lot of people do not know this, but I was the personal chaplain to Dr Nkomo. He was also a close friend of mine and was of great support during my job, feeding the freedom fighters. I don’t remember him at one point breaking a smile; he was a great man, who listened to everyone and respected everyone.

“It is, however, unfortunate that very few people know the role I played during that period but I am no person who would go around seeking recognition. I regard myself as more of a community leader. I was born to lead; it is in me and I am very proud of it,” said Rev Nxumalo.

He, however, reveals that his lifetime dream is to one day meet President Mugabe in person.

Sunday News also managed to interview Rev Nxumalo’s daughter, Sibonile, who was only 16 when her father was feeding the freedom fighters.

She remembered that during this period they would almost always wake up with a stranger in their house, who their parents would simply say were either their brother or sister.

“We learnt a lot of things during this period. Our father would insist that we assist in the disbursing of the rations. We would also handle the administration side of things, which I think is the reason why most of us in the family grew up to be administrators.

“However, when we look back at this period we do not regret anything but instead we remain proud because I believe this was our contribution to the liberation struggle. This period taught us to accept a lot of things in life and instead of regarding these war returnees as soldiers we took them as our elder brothers and sisters,” said Ms Nxumalo.

Rev Nxumalo is a father of eight children, with five surviving. His wife passed away in the year 2 000. He has 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. And for a man of 87 years, Rev Nxumalo is still fit, with only a slight hearing problem. He occasionally takes a walk around Ntabazinduna township and says his hobbies are reading and researching.

Asked on his secret to long life, Rev Nxumalo said: “This is just God given, I pray every time and I love everyone around me, as I said I am a community person, I believe in working for and with the people.”

As the interview ends, Rev Nxumalo insists on a closing prayer.