A peek into Gen Tongo’s pistol, love letters and war strategies
THE late General Josiah Magama Tongogara, who would have turned 82 on Tuesday, has been immortalised through a running exhibition in Harare giving insights into his family life, strategies and never-seen-before images.
One of the key figures in the country’s liberation war, General Tongogara commanded Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) forces.
He was a regular headache for settler forces. Although he met his unfortunate demise on December 26, 1979 in Mozambique, General Tongogara’s name remains indelible in the country’s history.
A packed gallery including Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa and Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation Minister Kirsty Coventry, and Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) leaders were taken down an emotional journey of selfless sacrifice.
The exhibition is a reminder on why General Tongogara is revered as one of the key figures in Zimbabwe’s fight for Independence.
Those who gathered at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe on Tuesday for the exhibition titled “Freedom Through the Eyes of our General Tongogara” learnt that even in times of war, Cupid was still a sharp-shooter. General Tongogara’s widow, Senator Angelina Tongogara, said although facing the daunting task of leading men at war, he still found time to pen sweet love letters in long hand.
“The first letter he wrote me was in 1979 when he was away. He said he missed me and wished to be with me although he had a duty to liberate the country. I understood,” Senator Tongogara said.
Despite the letters being in cursive, Amai Tongogara said she could read them clearly.
“I brought them so that the youths will know that if you say you love someone, it means something; so you must learn from those love letters,” she said.
Before people were shown General Tongogara’s war time artefacts and memorabilia, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Band sang his favourite song, “Nyika Yedu YeZimbabwe”.
This was said to be the song the General listened to before strategising.
While settler forces’ misinformation framed the liberation struggle as random acts of resistance, the late commander’s notes tell a different story.
The notes showed how General Tongogara predicted harmony between ZANU and ZAPU, a vision later brought to life by the Unity Accord of 1987.
There were also diagrams of how the various armies would be amalgamated after Independence, he was a commander adamant of victory.
“We hope this will also reopen our understanding of the man behind the man and the sacrifices he made in the war to liberate Zimbabwe,” Senator Tongogara said.
General Tongo’s pistol is also on show. The silver metal piece carefully preserved was described as one of his most prized assets.
Contemporary art was also used to re-image General Tongo and bring some of the images back to life.
The monochromatic portraits in pencil gave life-like images of the icon that was Tongo, with his signature stern face and cap.
Portraits and photographs came from artists Tusichile Kasito, Nothando Chivanga and Nyasha Motsi.
Pictures with his family were also shared to give insights into how the man sacrificed time with his family to fight in the war.
The exhibition, which coincided with his birthday, was seen as a reminder to the contribution made by General Tongogara, one of the nationalists who failed to see a liberated Zimbabwe despite fighting hard for it.
“The family and trustees of Tongogara Legacy Foundation decided to commemorate his birthday with this exhibition to remind ourselves of his commitment and the ideals that he gave his life for at the age of 39,” said Senator Tongogara.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Minister Mutsvangwa said such gestures should unite Zimbabweans.
“We are one people and knowing that there are those who sacrificed their lives to liberate this country should galvanise us towards working for a common goal and a better Zimbabwe,” she said.
Born Josiah Magama Tongogara in Selukwe (now Shurugwi) on February 4, 1938, the man left an illustrious history of being a resolute freedom fighter.
He led troops from the front in the battle for Independence.
General Tongogara failed to witness Zimbabwe morph into a self-determining nation after dying in a car crash at the age of 41 in Mozambique.
It is hoped the exhibition will keep young generations connected with the country’s history in its intact form.