ZUNDE - Tribute to our founding Chairman Wilfred Mhanda

Zimbabweans United for Democracy (ZUNDE) is deeply sorrowful for the loss of its founding Chairman Wilfred Mhanda, Dzinashe Machingura or simply Cde Dzino. We are particularly hurt that I and some in our leadership team are not able to be home with the grieving family and friends. The whole movement is in shock and mourning as the death was untimely as we were organising an official announcement.

Dzino had accepted the role of Chairman of ZUNDE. His critical role was to nature the movement and instil core values of sacrifice, patriotism and comradeship that he was. What made him special was that he did not demand leadership of the movement but was prepared and keen to mould people much younger and less famous than him to become genuine freedom fighters who will never betray the freedom and prosperity of our country to any bidder for any price.  

Dzino demonstrated that ZUNDE is not about individuals but about the values and vision that bind us to a common destiny. He taught us that ZUNDE is about service to the people. He taught us that it was not about looking East or West but looking into the hearts of our people.

Dzino demonstrated that fear is a prison. Through fear of Mugabe Zanu PF has become a cage of oppression and fear from which evil spirits emerge every night to terrorise our people and destroy our national heritage. Through fear Mugabe has barricaded himself in State House choosing rather to die in office than to face the shame of his betrayal of the liberation struggle. Through fear his stooges (zvimbwsungata) are clinging to his jacket and declaring that Mugabe will die in office with them. Through fear the whole country is a dunghill because no one dares challenge the status core. Dzino taught us to challenge dictatorship and injustice. We shall surely do that until the goals of our liberation struggle are met and the cries for democracy are realised.

As aptly put by one of his admires "If Mugabe had half the conscience and belief of Dzino, our country would be like heaven on earth". Dzino had what Zanu PF lacks but being mercenary and power hungry, Zanu PF could not tolerate Dzino's integrity. Dzino moulded the heroes but could not be buried with them at Heroe's Acre.

ZUNDE wishes to console Dzino's family, relatives and friends and promise them that we will work tirelessly until Dzino's vision of a free Zimbabwe is realised. It is sad that for all his toils and sacrifices, he did not live to see a free Zimbabwe. But what should comfort us all is that before he died he had successfully planted a seed that will see his and national dream realised.

ZUNDE will always be blessed by Cde Dzino's anointing. He taught us to love work, our country and our people. There are many out there claiming to be democrats but in just five years with Mugabe's team, they had changed to admire the dictator and sold the democracy movement for a few morning cups of tea. Cde Dzino could have accepted any of these but freedom for his people was more valuable.

We shall never forget you Cde Dzino and your vision shall come true. You left us young but we will grow, weak but we will get stronger because the vision you planted in us will blossom. At the right time your star will shine when you take your rightful seat with the national heroes. You are a hero no matter what Mugabe decides. He can pursue his hatred for you as from as far back as 1976 but what he cannot take away is the values you stood for. His hatred for you is a reflection of his heart's contempt of our national freedom.

Rest in peace Chairman Dzino. All the cadres you trained and combatants you commanded in the field know the truth and they salute you. Fambai zvakanaka mukoma Dzino asi sezvamakitidzidzisa tinosara tichiti pamberi nerusununguko rwe Zimbabwe.