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Leonard Ncube, [email protected]

PEOPLE in Hwange, including former freedom fighters are excited that the district Independence Day celebrations will be held in Chidobe outside Victoria Falls, closer to two undocumented battle sites where liberation fighters brought down a Rhodesian army plane and killed more than 30 white soldiers.

Government started rotating the hosting of national events in 2022, which saw Bulawayo hosting the National Independence Day celebrations at Barbourfields Stadium for the first time since 1980.

Last year’s National Independence Day celebrations were held in Mount Darwin, Mashonaland Central, with Manicaland province hosting this year’s edition in Murambinda.

In line with the decentralisation trajectory, Matabeleland North Province also introduced the rotational Independence Day commemorations with Binga district set to host the provincial event on Thursday at Manjolo Business Centre.

Chidobe will host Hwange district’s edition on the same day with hundreds of people from across Hwange expected to attend.

Preparations are underway with a meeting set for Chidobe Primary School today while yesterday artistes including school children were holding rehearsals.

The rotational hosting of national events is symbolic of the Government’s inclusive development agenda and is in line with President Mnangagwa’s policy of leaving no place and no one behind.

In an interview, former freedom fighters said hosting the district event near the battle sites is an honour and opportunity to teach the country’s history to young people.

There are numerous battle sites across Matabeleland North where liberation fighters took down Rhodesian forces’ war planes and killed many soldiers.

Some of the sites are Kalisosa on the edge of Chamabondo National Park, Chidobe and Mbizha in Hwange District as well as Pupu where Ndebele King Lobengula’s warriors defeated Allan Wilson’s army.

In Chidobe there is wreckage scattered in the bush following the 1979 battle where freedom fighters shot down a Rhodesian forces’ helicopter.

Freedom fighters said they lost their platoon commander only identified as Humphrey while more than 30 white soldiers including their commander perished in the battle that lasted from around 3PM until 8pm.

A few years ago, various stakeholders visited the site amid plans to turn the area into a museum although nothing has been done to date.

Locals want the sites to be turned into a national monument.

War veteran Cde Davison Ndlovu popularly known as Skuza who was leading one of the regiments that were called in for reinforcement in the Chidobe battle where he was shot on the arm, said the event will be an opportunity to talk about the role of the battle to the country’s independence.

“This is an opportunity to talk about the battle and how important it was in bringing independence. We need a monument at the Kalisosa site because that is a place where 32 soldiers were killed,” he said.

He said engagements are being done with relevant authorities for development of the site.

A few years ago war veterans in Matabeleland North started the process of identifying and documenting all battle sites and areas where revolutionaries died during the war of liberation in an effort to prepare content that will be put in the continental Museum of African Liberation in Harare.

The continental museum is being built in Harare by all countries of the continent, with the aim to allow Africa to tell its own history as opposed to the one-sided Euro-centric narratives that had filled public space for decades.

The monument seeks to document, preserve, protect and promote the continent’s liberation legacy.

War veterans in Matabeleland North resolved to take a leading stand in coming up with artefacts and material from the war of liberation from the province, to feed into the national liberation story.

Independence ushered in democracy in education, access to health, land reform, right to vote and devolution of power.

Another former freedom fighter Cde Dominic Lubasi said they will use the independence celebrations to educate young people about the country’s war history.

“This is an important opportunity we had been waiting for all these years. Young people will get to understand our history and they are fortunate because we are still alive to explain to them. This history needs to be documented so that our children know what happened at Kalisosa where more than 30 soldiers were killed after freedom fighters brought down a plane,” he said.

Another former freedom fighter Cde Christopher Ndlovu popularly known by his war name Soweto Fuyana said citizens should be reminded that the country’s liberation did not come cheaply.

“We appreciate the recognition, especially those of us who were part of the battle here. We wish to use the platform to tell young people that independence did not come cheaply,” he said.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Cde Richard Moyo said the decentralised Independence Day commemorations are a reflection of the Government’s development agenda.

– @ncubeleon