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Walter Nyamukondiwa in CHEGUTU
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has officially renamed Fylde Air Force Base to Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo Air Force Base and urged Zimbabweans to uphold virtues of unwavering and principled dedication to the country. Addressing a colourful crowd that included top Government and military officials at the air base here yesterday, President Mnangagwa said people should emulate the late nationalist.

“Upon his return to Lusaka, Cde Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo was immediately offered the position of deputy chairman to the late Ndabaningi Sithole in the Zimbabwe Liberation Committee (ZLC), but he yet again refused,” said President Mnangagwa.

“His refusal to follow individuals who had dubious aspirations to derail the liberation struggle demonstrated that the late nationalist was principled, focused and never swayed in the fight against colonial rule.”

President Mnangagwa inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Air Force of Zimbabwe, before officially unveiling the plaque.

A 19-gun salute was fired in honour of Cde Ziyaphapha Moyo, who was buried at the National Heroes Acre in 1989.
President Mnangagwa said people should remain resolute in defence of the country’s independence and heritage.

“I, therefore, exhort all of us as we approach harmonised elections to never be deceived and swayed by pieces of silver or gold and sell our revolution,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said the late Cde JZ Moyo was suspended from the ANC together with three other ZAPU representatives in Lusaka, Zambia, by the late Bishop Abel Muzorewa for his principled stance.

Cde JZ Moyo’s commitment to the revolution, he said, was demonstrated by his regular visits to the war front despite numerous attacks by the Rhodesian Front. One of his remarkable quotes in Zambia was: “inspirational figures, if you die for Zimbabwe, you live forever and not a minute without the movement, not an hour without the people, not a day without the struggle and Zimbabwe must be free at all cost”.

President Mnangagwa said the ethos of self determination and resilience to conquer colonialism that drove the fallen heroes should be embodied in people today.

“We should emulate our fallen heroes and heroines by foregoing short-term benefits and work hard to turn around the fortunes of our great nation,” he said.

“Today, as Zimbabweans, out of their sacrifices, we are a dignified nation, we have an identity and respect in our motherland.”
President Mnangagwa said when Cde JZ Moyo died in a parcel bomb explosion in 1977, liberation fighters were inspired by his shrewd military acumen.

He said naming of military institutions after liberation icons exorcised the ghost of colonialism.
“We are now in a new era where places have to be identified after people who have selflessly contributed to the independence of this country from white colonial rule,” said President Mnangagwa.

Moyo family representative Mr Jacob Sibindi thanked President Mnangagwa and Government for bestowing honour on the family and the late nationalist.

“When I look at the people who have come from different parts of the country, I do not see different people, but a representation of the entire Moyo family,” said Mr Sibindi.

In his testimonial speech, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, who worked with Cde JZ Moyo, said he was a military strategist.
“He held executive posts in the African National Congress, National Democratic Party and PCC before leaving for Zambia to direct the initial stages of the armed struggle,” he said.

“His mission was to build a formidable Zipra, the military wing of ZAPU, into a formidable military force.”