Meet ‘Nzira dzemasoja’ composer
“Kune nzira dzemasoja dzekuzvibata nadzo Teererai Midzimu yose nenzira dzakanaka Tisave tinotora zvinhu zvemasi yedu
Dzoserai zvinhu zvose zvatorwa kumuvengi Taurai zvine tsika kuruzhinji rwevanhu kuti masi inzwisise zvakananga musangano
Bhadharai zvamunotenga nenzira dzakanaka
Mudzosere zvinhu zvose zvamunenge matora
Tisave tinotora zvinhu zvemasi yedu Dzoserai zvinhu zvose zvatorwa kumuvengi Tisaite cheupombwe muhondo yeChimurenga
Tisanetse vasungwa vatinenge tabata Aya ndiwo mashoko akataurwa naivo vaMao vachitidzidzisa.”
AS his deep voice moves from an almost meek whisper to a powerful bellow of the lyrics above, Cde Paul Chigango, whose Chimurenga name is Cde Sando Muponda, rises to attention. His demeanour changes as relives that sombre moment when he composed and first sang the song at Mgagao Base Camp in Tanzania in1974. He was just about 17 years, Cde Chigango’s body shakes.
As he stands akimbo, his wife, Mrs Norah Muguta-Chigango whose Chimurenga name is Cde Muchaneta Mabhunu rises from her seat to join him in attention but in silence until he finishes singing the song that many have described as the embodiment of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle’s guiding cardinal commandments.
Cde Chigango explained that he composed the song while at Mgagao Training Camp soon after completing an orientation session on the guiding principles for Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
“We had just finished an orientation session on Chairman Mao Tse Tung’s Red Book, which became the guiding principle during the liberation struggle. I wrote the song based on Chairman Mao’s military doctrine ‘Three Rules of Discipline and Eight Points of Attention’.”
In China, Chairman Mao’s doctrine was developed as the code of conduct guiding the Chinese Red Army and later adapted as the basis that informed the liberation fighters’ interaction with the masses during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
“Coming from a background of being an active member of the Johanne Marange where I strongly participated in composing songs and singing them as I attended a Seventh Day Adventist school, Kadohwata Primary School, I naturally was a good music composer.
“I composed the song, Kune Nzira DzeMasoja using Cde Mao’s Eight Points of Attention and fused the words with the melody of the Seventh Day Adventist Hymn 125. This was not the only song I composed.
“I immediately joined the recreational/ entertainment group soon after my arrival in Zambia for training,” said Cde Chigango who, together with more than 15 other extended family members had crossed into Mozambique to join the liberation struggle from Dotito in Mt Darwin at the end of 1973.
He said he also composed the words on Sendekera Mukoma Chakanyuka that also became popular during and after the struggle and Rimwe Zuva Zvangu, among others.
“I sang with Cde Johnny Walker Mukorekore who died in a battle and Cde Murehwa who played mbira but died after independence. Unlike most comrades who left for the struggle under cover, I bade farewell to my parents before I crossed into Mozambique and a beast was actually slaughtered with all the traditional rites being performed before I left.
“My two uncles who worked for the Rhodesian forces had sold out and the liberation fighters who were operating in our area had warned us against such. They sought to give an example to the povo. We had been warned against selling out. And when my uncles were killed as punishment for selling out, I got motivated to join the struggle,” he said.
Cde Chigango said they walked from Chigango Village to the border where they crossed into Mozambique and arrived at Teresera base.
“I was trained that same year and joined the brigade that smuggled weapons to the front. We would carry the materials via Zambezi. We also carried the materials from Kaponda and would leave them for safe keeping at Njodzi’s place. That time Teresera was led by Cde Kashiri. During that time, there was the Badza rebellion and those who had arrested Cde Tungamirai and others were eventually arrested. We went to Zambezi and crossed the river into Zambia using a banana boat popularly known as ‘chimwadiya’.”
He said they were taken to Mawazaninga which was led by Cde Killian Butu who had not yet trained. They carried materials to Chifombo Base where they met Cde Kumbirai Kangai and others.
“From there, we were taken to Lusaka Farm which was led by Cde Chikavangwena. It was at the Lusaka Farm that I was incorporated in the Recreational group and I started composing Chimurenga songs.”
Cde Chigango said while at the Lusaka Farm, it was announced that 400 cadres who had perfected their drills and individual tactics would be transported to Tanzania for further military training.
“I was not yet ready but desperately wanted to join the selected 400. The Organisation of African Unity trucks were to ferry the cadres to Tanzania and I clandestinely joined in.
“When we arrived at Tunduma border between Zambia and Tanzania, the authorities noticed that instead of 400 cadres that were indicated on the papers, there were 401. I was the number 401 and I knew they would not be able to tell I was not supposed to be there.
“We were allowed to pass and arrived at the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces at Mbeya. From there, we went to Iringa where we were given food supplies to carry to Mgagao. And our group became known as the 401 battalion.
“Cde Robson Manyika was camp commander at Iringa. At Mgagao, the commanders were Cdes Rex Nhongo, Joseph Khumalo and Dzinashe Machingura.
“Cdes Dominic Chinenge ( now VP Constantino Chiwenga), Retired Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri, former police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri, Modern Mutsetse, Aginyu Kambewu (Brig General Chimombe), who raised independent Zimbabwe’s flag at independence on April 18, 1980, Grey Tichatonga, Pfepferere, Parker Chipoyera and George Rutanhire were some of our instructors.”
Cde Chigango said he was trained in the various military departments like commissariat, security, and artillery.
“As I rose through the ranks in the recreation department. I also shared my room with now Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Commissioner General Paradzai Zimondi. My peers were Harry Tanganeropa (former ZBC chief executive Happison Muchechetere), Cde Chibage and Phineas Nyamhandu. I led my entertainment group named Chaminuka Entertainment Group. Cde Tambaoga was also in my group.”
He said the entertainment groups would provide entertainment to the weary cadres and boost morale.
“We also sang jiti music and in 1975 I was sent to Chimoio where I continued with my entertainment role but soon after General Nhongo went to the front in the Gaza Province, I was deployed to Nyadzonia as detachment political commissar. I also served at Chibawawa and Torongo.
“We would make banjos with Cde Ketai Muchawaya and other members of the entertainment groups through which we would provide the much needed morale in the camps.”
He said they also recorded some of their music in Maputo and soon after was promoted to become a member of the General Staff. Cde Nhongo immediately promoted him to Chibawawa Camp as political commissar and as deputy camp commander to Cde Leonard Pfumo.
◆