Cecil John Rhodes was a 'thief' and 'gay' says Shamu

The Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu said PUPILS should be taught at school the difference between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai and the evil in Cecil John Rhodes and that he was a thief and a gay.

Shamu said it was critical to conscientise pupils of the immense contribution by the country's two liberation movements - Zanu and Zapu.

The Minister said this on Friday at a ceremony to celebrate the life and legacy of the late former commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Vitalis Zvinavashe at Tynwald Primary School.

General Zvinavashe was the founder of the private learning institution. Minister Shamu, who is also Zanu-PF political commissar, was the guest speaker at the commemoration.

Tynwald School, said Minister Shamu, should be on the forefront of teaching the importance of attaining economic independence as the reason why Zimbabweans like Gen Zvinavashe took up arms to fight the liberation struggle.

"Teachers you need to teach pupils about the political history of the country. If you don't who else will do that?

"They should know that it is only Zanu and Zapu that are liberation movements in the country. Vamwe vese ndivanamuchekadzafa," said Minister Shamu.

"Don't shy away to teach these children the difference between Zanu-PF and the MDC, the difference between President Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, huipi hurimu MDC-T, the evil in Cecil John Rhodes, that he killed their great grandfathers, that he was a thief and a gay."

He said Tynwald School was an embodiment of the revolution just as its founder was.

Minister Shamu said Gen Zvinavashe, as a visionary person, was aware that education was a vital empowerment tool, hence the construction of the school.

"This luminary of our revolution always preached that education elevates people's character, illuminates their souls, broadens their thinking and widens their vision," he said.

Minister Shamu described Gen Zvinavashe's qualities as that of hard work, honesty, modesty, patience, perseverance, among other virtues.

"These are the qualities that the people of Zimbabwe should uphold as they take over the baton in this sacred relay to fulfill the objectives of the country's revolution â€" to assume total control of our resources and achieve economic independence," he said.

Another friend to Gen Zvinavashe, Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube said the national hero sacrificed a lot to construct the school during the harsh economic conditions of early 2000.

"Banks would not give him money, they were reluctant because they were not sure of what he wanted to do," said Rtd Col Dube.

Gen Zvinavashe, said Rtd Col Dube, was not selfish like some people who took their investments offshore as he chose to invest in Zimbabwe.

Speaking at the same occasion, Tynwald primary school headmaster, Mr Sevious Mujere said he would carry on the baton left to him by Gen Zvinavashe.

"I want to assure everyone here, parents, children that I will run with the baton up to the finishing line. My focus is to get to the finishing line and I will get there in style," he said.

During the formative stages of the school's construction, said Mr Mujere, financial institution refused to give Gen Zvinavashe loans to complete the project as they had no confidence in a black person embarking on such a project.

Parents, relatives and friends of the late Gen Zvinavashe attended the commemoration.

The late national hero died in March 2009, was declared a national hero and buried at the National Heroes Acre.