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Herald Correspondent

The late gallant son of the soil, Lieutenant-General Douglas Nyikayaramba (Retired), whose Chimurenga name was “Blessing Muhondo” died on 9 February 2021 at St Anne’s Hospital, Harare.

Born on 9 January 1960 in Mutoko District, Mashonaland East Province in a family of 11, the young Cde Nyikayaramba attended Kowo Primary School before proceeding to Nyamuzuwe High School in Mutoko District in 1974 for his secondary education.

He later wrote his O’ Level examinations at Marlborough High School. The General Officer grew up in a village environment where all the injustices of the colonial regime were manifested and that made him conscious of the political injustices prevalent during those times.

In the face of such injustices, which made life unbearable, he was an active youth in the Nehanda Sector and was instrumental in organising clothing and cash from students at Nyamuzuwe High School for the comrades who were operating in the sector.

He later joined the liberation struggle at Nyamuzuwe in 1977, and trained in Mozambique at Tembwe Base Two and on completion was appointed Company Political Commissar and later received regular training in Tanzania at Nachingwea Training Base, Regiment Eight intake called “Fanya Haraka’’ where he was instructed by the likes of Major-General Godfrey Mupita (Rtd), Major-General Happyton Bonyongwe (Rtd) and Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin Nkosi (Rtd).

Some of his training mates included Colonel Jimmy Makondore, Colonel Hardson Muchemwa and Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mtetwa amongst others.

On completion of training at Nachingwea, he remained as one of the instructors for intake “Sasa Maliza’’.

Whilst in Tanzania, he was promoted to Detachment Commander and it was during that period that he first met with the late former President of Zimbabwe, Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe, who was visiting military bases on a familiarisation tour in the company of the late Chief of Defence, General Josiah Magama Tongogara and the current Vice President of Zimbabwe, Dr Constantino Chiwenga, Cde Joshua Musihairabwi (Mark Dube), Daniel Musewe (Wing Commander Tuzarurwa).

The late General had the pleasure of being an interpreter of Cde Mugabe during his address to ZANLA cadres as he translated from Shona to Swahili for the benefit of Tanzanian colleagues.

He remained in Tanzania for the whole of 1978 as an instructor until 1979 when he was deployed in the Gaza Province as a Detachment Commander under the command of Brigadier-General Benjamin Mabenge (Rtd) “Cde Fredy Matanga” who was Provincial Commander, where he remained until the ceasefire which led to Zimbabwe’s Independence.

During ceasefire, the late General went to Zezani Assembly Point in Beitbridge which was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Dewetewe (Shumba) (Rtd) who was once a Member of Parliament in Mberengwa District.

Whilst at Zezani, General Nyikayaramba was promoted to Sectorial Political Commissar (Battalion Second in Command) until his integration into the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) in 1980.

While at Zezani Assembly Point, the late general was a member of the disciplinary committee comprising ZANLA and ZIPRA officers. This was the camp that paved the way for the eventful integration of the warring faction.

He was later attested into the ZNA on 12 August 1980 as an officer. In August 1981, he was commissioned as a lieutenant, promoted to captain in June 1984, major in April 1986 and to lieutenant-colonel in July 1986.

He went on to be promoted to colonel in 1996, brigadier-general in 2000, major-general in 2011 and lieutenant-general in 2019 on his retirement from the ZNA.

During his career, he held several appointments amongst them company commander with 22 Infantry Battalion. From 1981 to 1982, he was course officer with the Company Commanders’ Wing at the Zimbabwe Military Academy and later on Second-in-Command Company Commanders’ Wing.

From March 1982 to 1983, the late general was an assistant chief instructor at the Zimbabwe Military Academy, where he was responsible for Programme and Instructional Development.

In 1983 to 1985, he was the Brigade Major with Presidential Guard where he witnessed the formation and training of the Brigade.

From 1985 to 1986, he was the director staff at the Zimbabwe Staff College Junior Division and later on directing staff, tactical trainer from 1986 to 1987.

It was during that period, that he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and appointed Commanding Officer 12 Infantry Battalion, a post he held from 1987 to 1989 when he was attached to the Special Forces (Parachute Group) for Parachute Training and subsequent under studying of Special Forces operations.

In 1990, he was posted from the Parachute Group to Zimbabwe Staff College, Command and Staff Division.

Whilst with the Command and Staff Division, he taught on all three terms (Semesters) and was also involved in the re-writing of précis and presentations for all terms. He was also responsible for running one of the terms as Term Directing Staff. In March 1994, General Nyikayaramba was appointed General Staff Officer Grade One responsible for administration, reporting to the Commandant. At the formation of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Headquarters, he was posted to the Ministry of Defence in September 1994 as Staff Officer Grade One Concepts in Policy and Plans Branch, the lead branch in the Ministry of Defence.

The late General had acquired extensive operational experience from his days as a young liberation cadre and as a Commander in the Zimbabwe National Army during the Mozambique Campaign. In Mozambique, he was involved in the planning and launching the Chicamba Dam and Mupunga Operations, the attack on Derunde Base in Samaqueza and other minor skirmishes both as a Company Commander and Commanding Officer.

During his service, the late General Officer attended several military courses amongst the following:

1. From 12 August to 12 November 1980, he attended Senior Officers’ Standardisation Course at the Zimbabwe Military Academy.
2. From 20 July to 11 October 1981, he did the Company Commanders’ General Duties Course at the Zimbabwe Military Academy.
3. From 11 January to 26 March 1982, he did a Combat Team Commanders’ Course at Zimbabwe Military Academy.
4. From 12 October 1983 to 03 February 1984, he attended an Intermediate Staff Course (ISC 6) at the Zimbabwe Staff College.
5. From 29 October 1986 to 10 July 1987, he did the Command and Staff Course (CSC 1) at the Zimbabwe Staff College.
6. From 21 April to 23 May 1986, he did Senior Officers’ All Arms Signals Course at the Zimbabwe School of Signals.
7. From 1 July to 20 July 1990, he attended a Basic Parachute Course at the Parachute Regiment.
8. Refugee Law Course in 1994, in Sweden.
9. Disaster Management Programme in 1997, in Botswana.
10. International Military Course on the Law of Armed Conflict in 1999.
11. Certificate in Law of Armed Conflict in 1999, in Italy.
12. Advanced Defence Studies Course in 2000, in China.
13. High Commanders’ Peace Support Operations Course in 2001, in South Africa.

During his service in the ZNA, he held a number of appointments as elaborated below:

1980-1982 – Company Commander 22 Infantry Battalion.

1982 – Course Officer Zimbabwe Military Academy.

1982-1983 – Officer Commanding Cadet Division, Zimbabwe Military Academy.

1983– Assistant Chief Instructor.

1983-1985 – Brigade Major at the Presidential Guard.

1985-1986 – Directing Staff Junior Division at the Zimbabwe Staff College.

1986-1987 – Directing Staff Zimbabwe National Army Training Team.

1987-1989 – Commanding Officer 12 Infantry Battalion.

1989-1991 – Parachute Regiment attache for understudying Special Forces Operations.

1991-1994 – Directing Staff Senior Division at the Zimbabwe Staff College.

1994 – General Staff Officer Grade One Coordination at the Zimbabwe Staff College.

1994-1995 – Staff Officer Grade One Concepts and Operations at the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Headquarters.

1995-1997 – Director Defence Policy at the Ministry of Defence.

1997-1999 – Commandant at the Zimbabwe Military Academy.

1999-2000 – Deputy Director Army Training at Army Headquarters.

2000-2005 – Brigadier General Administration Staff at Army Headquarters.

2005-2010 – Commander 2 Infantry Brigade.

2010-2011 – Commander 3 Infantry Brigade.

2012-2015 – Chief of Staff Quartermaster Staff at Army Headquarters.

2015-2017 – Chief of Staff Administration Staff at Army Headquarters.

2017-2019 – Inspector General at Zimbabwe Defence Forces Headquarters.

The late General Officer was a highly decorated Officer who was awarded with the following meritorious awards:

Liberation Medal- for his gallantry and selfless dedication to the Liberation of Zimbabwe.

Independence Medal – for his contribution towards the Independence of Zimbabwe.

Ten Years Service Medal- for his immense contribution to the integration, formation and development of the Zimbabwe National Army during the first ten years of its existence.

Long and Exemplary Service Medal– for his exemplary service for continuous fifteen years.

Mozambique Campaign Medal – for his contribution towards the restoration of peace and stability in Mozambique.

Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign Medal– For his contribution towards peace and the regard for humanity in the Democratic Republic of Congo during Operation Sovereign Legitimacy.

Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award- for his eminent achievement and distinguished service to Zimbabwe or to humanity at large.

Commander of the Most Meritorious Order of Mohlomi(CMMOM).

During his illustrious service in the ZNA, the late Lieutenant General attained the following professional qualifications and attributes:

Executive Course in Managing Multi-National Peace Missions at the University of Zimbabwe.

Executive Course in Civil Military Relations at the University of Zimbabwe.

Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Political Science at the University of Zimbabwe.

Masters Degree in International Relations.

The late General retired from the Zimbabwe National Army on 4 September 2019, but continued to serve his country as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique up to the time of his untimely death.

It should be very clear to us all that the late Lieutenant General was no ordinary man but a true Revolutionary and Comrade. He gave up his youthful days to fight for the freedom we enjoy today. He committed his whole life to serving Zimbabwe and fought to defend her interests. He made valuable contributions to the liberation of Zimbabwe and played a pivotal role in nation building during the post-Independence period. Above all, he remained focused and steadfast in the face of neo-colonial machinations by our detractors.

As we pay our last respects to the late gallant Son of the Soil, we must not forget the sacrifices he and other heroes and heroines made for the freedom of our motherland, Zimbabwe. We must defend what they stood and fought for, we must defend Zimbabwe’s independence and sovereignty at all costs. We must uphold the principles and values that the late General has left us.

Lieutenant General Douglas Nyikayaramba (Rtd) will be remembered for his immense contribution to the Liberation Struggle.  Indeed, he was a selfless team player and a true Revolutionary Cadre.

The late Lieutenant General Douglas Nyikayaramba (Rtd) is survived by his wife and eight children.