Takawira fought for equality, freedom Cde Takawira

Tendai H. Manzvanzvike-Head, Zimpapers Knowledge Centre

CDE Leopold Tapfumaneyi Takawira, Vice President of ZANU, was born in 1916 in Mvuma and he died in prison in 1970 and was first buried in his rural home in Chirumanzi. 

He was reburied at Heroes Acre on August 11, 1982, 12 years after his death. Cde Takawira was among the first heroes of the liberation struggle to be interred at the national shrine.

Affectionately known as the Lion of Chirumanzi, Cde Takawira was educated at Kutama Mission and later went to Roma University in Lesotho. 

He started his revolutionary activities in Highfield, Harare, when he was a school teacher at Chipembere Primary School.  

Cde Takawira organised teachers to attack the racially discriminatory practice of the white minority settler regime and later joined the National Democratic Party to broaden his activities. 

He quickly became leader and chief spokesman of the nationalist movement. 

Following the NDP Congress, he became its external representative, based in London. 

It was in this capacity that he sent a cable back home denouncing and rejecting the 1961 constitutional conference results, which gave Africans 15 seats in a Parliament of 65 members. 

He denounced the agreement as diabolical and disastrous to Zimbabwe. The 1961 constitution was later rejected by the leadership and membership of NDP. 

After the ban of the NDP, the Zimbabwe African People’s Union was formed, and Cde Takawira was appointed secretary of external affairs again. 

He became instrumental in building the foreign missions of the party and when Zapu was banned, Cde Takawira became instrumental in the formation of the Zimbabwe African National Union.  

He became Zanu’s first vice-president and when the ZANU congress was held, he retained his position as vice-president of the party. He worked energetically to establish and popularise the party. 

Cde Takawira was arrested in Salisbury and detained at Whawha, Sikombela and Salisbury Central prisons, respectively. 

While in prison, he continued his revolutionary activities, even at a time when his health was failing.   

The white minority settler regime denied him permission to seek medical attention. On June 15, 1970 he collapsed and went into a coma and later                         died.

The post-mortem showed that he had been suffering from diabetes and the verdict of the court was that he had died of negligence.  

In this way, the Smith regime must bear full responsibility for Cde Takawira’s death in their prisons. 

A number of songs have been composed in his honour, for “Takawira mukono waidzvova”, and another that extols his virtues as the Lion of Chirumanzi:

Shumba yemakuwerere;

Mhazi!

Nhasi uno tiri pano,

Shumba yemakuwerere; 

Mhazi!

Takatumwa nababa;

Enda undomutora;

Mhazi! 

The Zimpapers Knowledge Centre, spoke with different generations of the Takawira family.

Their remarks not only show the depth of understanding about the struggle waged by their grandparents, but they also demonstrate that they know that they were included in that struggle, and that it is up to them to either safe keep the heritage or lose it to neo-colonialists.

Ambassador Getrude R Takawira, the last born daughter to the couple said: “Forty-one years of Independence seems like a long time, yet, for those whose hearts and souls transgressed miles in search for this freedom, memories of those treacherous times still linger fresh in thought. 

“The sweet victory marked by the 18th of April is not without tears, as we remember the gallant visionaries and soldiers, among them our father Leopold Takawira, whose eyes saw what we will never know.

“But then, what victory can ever come without a struggle? Hezvo nhasi uno tiri pano Mhazi; zvamakatumwa naBaba makaita.”

Ambassador Takawira added, “Echoes of your legacy fathered us since you were in prison and after you had gone. A selfless and loving father not just to your family, but to all that followed your footsteps, and a comrade to those whom you jointly worked with. 

“Now, we begin a journey towards economic emancipation forever with you in spirit. Rest in eternal peace!”

Charles Dumisani Takawira, the hero and heroine’s grandson wanted it felt that it was for their future well-being that his grandparents suffered at the hands of the white oppressors.

“When I reflect back on the life of Gogo (grandmother) and Sekuru (grandfather) Takawira, I think that there are many different attributes that they embodied depending on the situation and circumstance; and I do believe that what drove each of them, and in particular Gogo, can be summed up in a quote by the philosopher Seneca that ‘it is the power of the mind to be unconquerable’,” he said.

“It was their ability to carry on in the face of adversity and remain unwavering in the struggle for Independence and indeed, in the case of Gogo, which benefited me and the whole nation. I was able to grow up and not be restricted by segregationist policies that benefited people based on their race, but rather advance depending on my own merits.

“I learned that at times, it is necessary to struggle in order to achieve not only my goals, but also my right to be, and that if I surrender my purpose or allow my mind to be conquered, then that is when all is lost.” 

Their granddaughter, Tsungai Claudia Maredza was more explicit about the mood and feeling at the Takawira homestead during memorial days like Independence Day.

Pouring out her emotions she said, “Every Independence and Heroes Days, we would all run to the television. The beckoning call, ‘huyai muzoona Sekuru’ (come and watch grandfather) is often heard in our house when documentaries, pictures and songs about the struggle featured my grandfather are played on ZBC.

“I had no idea why my granddad was always on TV nor why the nation celebrated him. What I did know was Gogo loved him deeply and when my tooth fell out, Sekuru would be the tooth fairy that put money under my pillow.

“I never met this Vice President, this gallant hero or this national monument, but I deeply know and love Sekuru. I knew that he loved the nation and he sacrificed his life for the liberation of Zimbabwe. I knew he was a loving father and husband; I knew he was the love of Gogo’s life and above all, I knew that I had to serve my country and use my gifts to its betterment as Sekuru had done.

“Whenever I behaved well, Gogo would tell me that Sekuru is proud of me, and whenever I behaved in a less than desirable fashion Gogo would ask me, ‘kwenze njani Mai Takawira’?

“I took my role as Mai Takawira very seriously so I would always correct my behaviour immediately. Seeing how much my grandmother loved my grandfather set up a standard of excellence in me. I understood from a very young age that service, love and compassion were the highest order of being.

“I knew my uncles joined the liberation struggle to continue their father’s work. I knew Gogo continued to support the efforts to free Zimbabwe even becoming a Senator after Independence, and I knew that this great name was not about glitz and glamour, but hard work and dignity.

“We were taught from a young age about, ‘moyo kuvanhu’ (your heart to the people), and I was determined to follow in Sekuru’s footsteps, to make him proud, to continue the work he had begun.

“For some time, I was quite angry with the Rhodesian system for the pain they inflicted on my family and despite being born 10 years into our independence, I had nightmares of the Rhodesian army invading our home. When I told Gogo, she encouraged me to forgive them and let go of that pain.

“I did not understand how she could be so forgiving to those that robbed her of a beautiful life. To honour Sekuru, I let go of my bitterness and resolved to carry on his work, to serve and bring goodness to all of humanity. My deepest gratitude goes out to all the Zimbabweans and fallen comrades that fought for my independence. May God bless and protect our sovereignty. ‘Pambili ngeZimbabwe; Pamberi neZimbabwe!’”

Tsungai continued, “I never met my grandfather, but I knew him and loved him deeply because I was raised to love him and honour his greatness.

“His sacrifice along with others paid off. Zimbabwe is liberated and will never be a colony again despite the manoeuvres of Western bullies.

“I look at my generation and I see the lack of patriotism due to the current hardships that Zimbabwe is enduring. There is a dire need for programmes that teach us about the selflessness that saw the birth of a sovereign Zimbabwe.

“My grandmother taught us about Sekuru’s sacrifices to realise an independent Zimbabwe and we understood that the prosperity of our nation would require a lot of hard work and sacrifice as all substantial success does.

“This Independence Day, it is my solemn hope that all Zimbabweans deeply reflect on this and decide to do the work that is required to bring about a prosperous Zimbabwe void of corruption and selfishness.” 

The great grandson Joshua Makorie had the final word. 

“My great grandparents fought vigorously for equality, justice and freedom for all Zimbabweans,” he said. 

“For this, I and the rest of the country are eternally grateful, as today, we can all stand together as one, no longer divided by race, tribe or class, to call this nation our home.”

 Additional source: A Guide to the Heroes Acre: Some basic facts about Zimbabwe’s heroes and the Heroes Acre. (2019) Harare: Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.

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