About Zim’s liberation war heroes
ZIMBABWE today celebrates its 42nd independence day. this special occassion marks the freedom of this nation from colonialists. But this would not yave been possible without the effort and resilience from gallant sons and daughters who laid their lives for freedom’s sake.
Here is in honour of Zimbabweans who died within and outside the country while fighting to free the country from the minority rule of Ian smith and the Rhodesian Front
Josiah Magama Tongogara
Josiah Magama tongogara (February 4 1938—December 26 1979) was a commander of the Zanla guerrilla army in Rhodesia. He attended the Lancaster House conference that led to Zimbabwe’s independence and end of white minority rule. Numerous people expected him to be the first president of Zimbabwe.
tongogara was one of several rebel commanders operating from outside of Rhodesia’s borders to free the country from white rule. In 1973 he took over command from Herbert Chitepo of the armed forces of the Zimbabwe African National Union. In 1975, he put down an interior revolt by members of the Manyika tribe and consolidated that control with the assistance of Mujuru, Rex Nhongo.
Herbert Wiltshire Pfumaindini Chitepo
Herbert Wiltshire Pfumaindini Chitepo (June 15 1923–March 18 1975) led the Zimbabwe African National Union (Zanu) until he was assassinated on March 1975.
Chitepo became the first black citizen of Rhodesia to become a lawyer. In May 1962 Zapu was banned because of militarism and Chitepo was persuaded to go into voluntary exile to escape possible detention.
He became tanganyika’s first African director of public prosecutions He held this post until 7 December 1974, when the Lusaka Accord was signed.
Leopold Takawira
Leopold takawira (1916–1970) served as the Vice-President of the Zimbabwe African National Union after supporting the National Democratic Party (NDP) and later the Zimbabwe African People's Union. takawira was also known by his totem as “shumba yeChirumanzi”.
He was detained in 1964 and confined at first to sikombele alongside Joshua Nkomo, Ndabaningi sithole, Robert Mugabe and Edgar tekere. After Rhodesia’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom, he was moved to salisbury Prison where he remained until his death in 1970
Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo
Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo (June 19 1917–July 1 1999) was a Zimbabwean politician who served as Vice-President of Zimbabwe from 1987 until his death in 1999. He was leader and founder of the Zimbabwe African People's Union (Zapu) party, and a member of the Ndebele people (Kalanga).
He was a trades-union leader, who became president of the banned National Democratic Party, and was jailed for 10 years by Rhodesia’s white minority government. After his release, Zapu contributed to the fall of that government, but then feuded with the rival Zanu group led by Robert Mugabe. Fearing for his life, Nkomo fled the country, before controversially allowing Zapu to merge with Zanu.
Nkomo had many nicknames, including “Umafukufuku”, “Father Zimbabwe”, and “Chibwechitedza” (the slippery rock).
He founded and was chief architect of Zimbabwe African National Union party in August 1963