By Dumisani Ndlovu
Gweru – As Zimbabwe commemorated Heroes Day, two liberation struggle veterans, Moses Mapepa and Rodgers Ngara, shared a previously undocumented account of the Chibawawa Camp attack in Mozambique. In an emotional interview, they highlighted the need for recognition of those who suffered at the camp.
Mapepa, who joined the liberation struggle in 1977, survived a RENAMO bombing at Chibawawa camp, which claimed many lives. “I am disgusted that historians have ignored this crucial part of our history. We lost many comrades, and their sacrifices must be acknowledged,” he said.
Ngara, part of the education department during the liberation struggle, echoed Mapepa’s sentiments. “Zimbabwean history is incomplete without the story of Chibawawa,” he said. Ngara shared his experiences, including weapon transportation challenges and attacks by RENAMO and Rhodesian Forces.
The veterans emphasized the need to incorporate the liberation ethos and legacy into formal education. They believe the current narrative is incomplete and that sharing their stories can correct misconceptions.
Mapepa expressed sadness that their history is not being told correctly. “We were there, and we know what happened. But our stories are not being shared, and our sacrifices are not being recognised,” he said. Ngara added, “We are not just talking about our personal experiences, but also about those who came before us. We must honour their memory by sharing their stories.”
Historian Pathisa Nyathi emphasized the importance of self-narrative. “We need to tell our own story. We cannot rely on others to tell our history for us. We must take ownership of our narrative and share our stories.”
The government has acknowledged the importance of preserving Zimbabwe’s history, but more needs to be done to capture liberation struggle stories and include them in education. Ngara stressed, “We must make sure our history is taught in schools. We must ensure our children know what happened during the liberation struggle and the sacrifices made.” Mapepa added, “We must also ensure our history is accurate. We cannot allow distortions and misconceptions to be perpetuated.”
As the liberation generation ages, it is crucial they share their experiences. Nyathi warned, “It would be a tragedy if their stories went untold. We must capture their experiences and share them with the world.”
