News / Press Release
MLF leader steps down
11 Mar 2016 at 11:25hrs | Views
MTHWAKAZI LIBERATION FRONT (M.L.F.)
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
TO ALL MEMBERS, PARTNERS AND WELL WISHERS.
We deeply regret to announce the stepping down of our President, General Nandinandi, the current President of Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF), with immediate effect, Monday, 7th March 2016.
Like the majority of stateless Mthwakazi people scattered all over the world, General Nandinandi
(Fidelis MNcube), being one of those who found themselves unaccommodated by the new Zimbabwe at independence in 1980,left and relocated to neighboring Botswana in December 1981, where eventually he acquired Botswana citizenship through naturalization. We have since been advised by the Botswana Authorities that, that country's constitution does not allow participation of their citizens, neither does it allow any of its citizens either to belong to or be part of political organisations outside the borders of Botswana. This was made clear to us (as MLF) by the Botswana Authorities on Monday, the 7th March 2016.
General Nandinandi is a well-known, distinguished, highly experienced and skillful former ZIPRA Senior Commander, who commanded ZIPRA forces during the liberation war and took part in battles for the liberationof Victoria Falls, Zambezi Valley, Wankie,Dete,Tsholotsho,and Plumtree Bulilima areas.His last command assignment in ZIPRA was at the Entumbane battle in Bulawayo. After leaving the service, he ventured into business, an occupation he still pursues to this date.
Botswana, being the nearest neighbor of Mthwakazi State, through the long border it has shared from time immemorial, has always been at the receiving end of blame and at times incursions that have had destructive effects on its people and property. Botswana has been the first to sympathise with the people of Mthwakazi, the first to give shelter, food and clothing to the stateless people of Mthwakazi, first during the liberation war period from 1960 until 1980. Second, during the period from 1981 when the Mthwakazi People's Genocide was committed by Zimbabwe's Gukurahundi's exterminating forces.
We reiterate here, especially for those who do not know, that Botswana is the only country whose selfless contribution to Zimbabwe liberation could not have been possible without. As Mthwakazians, we therefore feel duty bound to respect the laws and the constitutions of not only the Repub lic of Botswana, but of those other countries that have given us recognition of human respect, identity and dignity.
Mthwakazians, please be assured that in a revolution the loss or departure of one soldier does not mean the end of the struggle.
Mhwakazians are used to loss of prominent leaders during their struggles, such as those in the past of such prominent leaders in the likes of Generals J.Z.Moyo, Nikita Mangena, JD Dube, Sebele and others, but the peoples' revolution continued until victory was ach ieved. Such a loss should spur on all members to unite and work hard and honestly together towards the fulfillment of the final goal of attaining true freedom and self- determination of the State of Mthwakazi. Freedom is priceless, and it's a great honor to die for one's freedomand rights than for anything else . Also bear in mind that freedom shall never be donated, we have to work hard together to fight for and defend our rights and freedom.
Never again shall the people be afraid in the land of their birth, Mthwakazians must stick to and
familiarize themselves with the contents of the Chitawa Declaration document as their freedom
charter.Mthwakazians must be free to make friends with whoever they choose, just like anybody else. They must be free to seek assistance from anywhere in the world even from Zimbabwe without any big brother hindrances. It must ultimately be noted that the State of Mthwakazi was only defeated once, that is by the British Colonial forces in 1893. Since that period and particularly since Zimbabwe attained independence, the Mthwakazian people have suffered genocide, ethnic cleansing, disappearances, brutality of unimaginable proportions, rape, plunder, and a multiplicity of other crimes against humanity; but as a people, the Mthwakazians have never been defeated in any battle (real or imagined) by the forces of colonial Zimbabwe.
Put differently, the Mthwakazians would not have suffered genocide and various forms of ethnic
cleansing if they had a leader such as General Nandinandi. They would have resisted and expelled the enemy with considerable force never experienced even by the European colonialists. This for the simple reason that under the leadership of General Nandinadi, the Zipra forces would not have been disarmed only for their defenseless populations to be maimed as happened during the Mthwakazi Genocide. But then it is a historical fact that Zipra then was led by people who wanted appeasement at all cost and at the expense of defenseless Mthwakazians being annihilated rather than achieving peace through rigorous resistance and force of arms.
it is also a historical fact that no sooner had Zipra willingly surrendered its arms (as part of the so-called national unity building exercise) at the behest of its then leaders, than the ZANU-PF regime embarked on a programme to inflict genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Mthwakazi people. Killing defenceless people and committing genocide and ethnic cleansing against a defenceless population cannot be recorded as victory against the Mthwakazi nation. It remains simple what it is, a coward act of committing barbarity and genocide against a defenceless Mthwakazi population. The fact remains that the ZANU-PF batman would not have dared pick up a fight with an armed Mthwakazi population. They would have lost immeasurably.
Hence we reiterate that the Mthwakazi people have never been, neither will they be, defeated by the ZANU-PF batman in any theatre of war. That will not happen because, never again will the Mthwakazi people be led by weak leaders who can be manipulated at any time for a song or a falsified imagined Zimbabwean identity and therefore opt for appeasement rather than achieving permanent peace for the people of Mthwakazi. The people of Mthwakazi will forever remain the people of Mthwakazi in spirit, soul and body. No amount of force even from the almighty will ever make them anything else other than being Mthwakazian.
Under Zipra we did not have a history, we were never taught about the gallant fighters of King
Lobengula who resisted the onslaught of European colonialism with spears, bows and arrows throughout Mthwakazi country against an enemy with powerful weapons (machine guns, explosives and others). We were only taught about the imagined never ever achievable ideals of socialism and communism (foreign doctrines), hence we had had to surrender our own defenses thinking that what was being achieved (Embabwe) was liberation for us all. But we were mistaken.
Under General Nandinadi, we have finally managed to he proud of who we are and our rich history as the people of Mthwakazi, the history that was bequeathed to us not by foreigners, but by our own gallant fore fathers who established a State of Mthwakazi which was unfortunately destroyed by European colonialism in 1893. it is the restoration of that state which General Nandinadi has reminded us about, for which for the first time we are proud to be who we are, Mthwakazi people. General Nandinadi's contribution in this regard is immense.
Without firing a single shot in anger, the people of Mthwakazi now know who they are and that they suffered genocide and ethnic cleansing simply for being who they are and not what they ought to be, but for being Mthwakazi people. This is all Genera! Nandinadi's contribution.
Today, we have a number of peaceful programmes under the banner and brand Mthwakazi, from colleges, football teams, musicians, praise singers (imbongi), political groupings and movements and a range of other such programmes which when combined are benefitting our people in many ways. Books tracing the history of Mthwakazi have also been written and others are being written, so are documentaries and films that should be hitting our screens in the near future. Two books in particular are a must read: 'Free Mthwakazi' by Mthwakazi Liberation Front and The Rule by Conquest — A Struggle in Mthwakazi' by Jonathan Maphenduka. A Restoration (Divorce) Document was also compiled under the leadership of General Nandinandi which was dispatched to the United Nations, Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Union (AU), various governments across the world, including the Zimbabwean Government and a number of Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as well as established churches of the world.
The arts are alive and vibrant, including cultural groups, as a result of General Nandinandi's
contribution to the cause of the Mthwakazi struggle. Recently, the Mthwakazi case has been re-introduced to the Zulunation, as we seek a deeper understanding of our plight. Soon delegations will be visiting a number of areas all in the name of campaigning for the restoration of Mthwakazi State.lt is in recognition of the contribution of General Nandinandi that you are also invited to join us so as to make a positive contribution in our quest for the restoration of Mthwakazi.
There are of course many ways that you can assist or make your impact felt in this journey of liberating Mthwakazi. Donations will also do as we require those for a number of Mthwakazi related issues such as education, sport, health programmes and many others.
It is a historical fact that Mthwakazi existed as a separate state before the advent of European
colonialism and as such that it will rise again in our life time, and however big and deep the Grand Plan has been crafted, it will never stop an idea of its time. We have seen the debilitating impact of the ZANU-PF Grand Plan on the education of our children, on their health, their socio-economic conditions, their future and the language imperialism of our rulers and the destructive force of all the combined policies on the general welfare of all Mthwakazians, but even then we remain absolutely resolute in opposing this scourge of oppression with dedicated determination and courage.
Our General Nandinandi, just as millions of others who fled the wretched colonial Zimbabwe
subsequently acquired the citizenship of other countries on both humanitarian grounds as well as the recognition that they were a stateless people.
Today, due to the imposition of language imperialism in virtually all schools in Mthwakazi country, children of kindergarten, early learning and primary schooling age are also fleeing their country Mthwakazi solely to be able to breathe and speak own mother tongue, something which is increasingly being criminalised under the ZANU-PF regime of colonial Zimbabwe.
Just as our esteemed leader General Nandinadi had recognized early on, it is our hope that the world will finally listen to the peaceful pleas of our people to free themselves from the worst forms of external oppression and colonialism. Another Moses will rise from the people of Mthwakazito lead the children of Mthwakazi out of the fires and hunger of Sordom and Gomora.
The question that Mthwakazi people are settlers from South Africa, is all rubbish and dangerous even to the clowns who sponsor it, the people behind the grand plan.Mthwakazians, but no one else, are the rightful heirs of the land of their forefathers, with all its animals, rivers, mountains, mineral wealth, valleys and dongas.
It must be remembered at all times and under whatever circumstances that our people who were
annihilated in the Mthwakazi Genociide by the ZANU-PF Gugurahundi exterminators, remain unburied to this very day. It is therefore important that we all redouble our efforts so that all those who were buried alive in mass graves, thrown in disused mine shafts, bayonetted alive to reveal the still moving fetuses, disappeared, raped and so forth, receive human burial rites in accordance to our traditions, culture and customs.
Not least, it is a very sad reality to worship other people's cultures and their ancestors whilst negating your own. Finally, it is our hope that one day General Nandinandi will be accorded an opportunity of reclaiming his citizenship of Mthwakazi with the rebirth, restoration and rise of the Mthwakazi State. It is in those terms in mind that our heroic General Nandinadi will forever remain an inspiration and a shining light for all Mthwakazians all over the world, yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever.
This is the message to be transmitted very clearly to all those who might fail to treat the Mthwakazi
revolution with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.WOKOYO! AKASILAHLANGA BAKWETHU UGENERAL NANDINADI, HE WILL FOREVER REMAIN IN OUR HEARTS AS A GREAT TOWERING LEADER AND REVOLUTIONARY OF OUR TIME!
INKOSI VI NKOSI NGA BANTU I IBONWA NGA MANXEBA'YO! L IQHAWE NGE ZENZO ZAKHE! ABANTU...YITHI YITHI ABANTU. LONG LIVE GENERAL NANDINANDI.
MEET YOU ON FREEDOM DAY.
9 March, 2016 SIGNED: 9 March 2016
Dr. M. C. Guduza A. Sibanda
MLF Vice President MLF Secretary General
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
TO ALL MEMBERS, PARTNERS AND WELL WISHERS.
We deeply regret to announce the stepping down of our President, General Nandinandi, the current President of Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF), with immediate effect, Monday, 7th March 2016.
Like the majority of stateless Mthwakazi people scattered all over the world, General Nandinandi
(Fidelis MNcube), being one of those who found themselves unaccommodated by the new Zimbabwe at independence in 1980,left and relocated to neighboring Botswana in December 1981, where eventually he acquired Botswana citizenship through naturalization. We have since been advised by the Botswana Authorities that, that country's constitution does not allow participation of their citizens, neither does it allow any of its citizens either to belong to or be part of political organisations outside the borders of Botswana. This was made clear to us (as MLF) by the Botswana Authorities on Monday, the 7th March 2016.
General Nandinandi is a well-known, distinguished, highly experienced and skillful former ZIPRA Senior Commander, who commanded ZIPRA forces during the liberation war and took part in battles for the liberationof Victoria Falls, Zambezi Valley, Wankie,Dete,Tsholotsho,and Plumtree Bulilima areas.His last command assignment in ZIPRA was at the Entumbane battle in Bulawayo. After leaving the service, he ventured into business, an occupation he still pursues to this date.
Botswana, being the nearest neighbor of Mthwakazi State, through the long border it has shared from time immemorial, has always been at the receiving end of blame and at times incursions that have had destructive effects on its people and property. Botswana has been the first to sympathise with the people of Mthwakazi, the first to give shelter, food and clothing to the stateless people of Mthwakazi, first during the liberation war period from 1960 until 1980. Second, during the period from 1981 when the Mthwakazi People's Genocide was committed by Zimbabwe's Gukurahundi's exterminating forces.
We reiterate here, especially for those who do not know, that Botswana is the only country whose selfless contribution to Zimbabwe liberation could not have been possible without. As Mthwakazians, we therefore feel duty bound to respect the laws and the constitutions of not only the Repub lic of Botswana, but of those other countries that have given us recognition of human respect, identity and dignity.
Mthwakazians, please be assured that in a revolution the loss or departure of one soldier does not mean the end of the struggle.
Mhwakazians are used to loss of prominent leaders during their struggles, such as those in the past of such prominent leaders in the likes of Generals J.Z.Moyo, Nikita Mangena, JD Dube, Sebele and others, but the peoples' revolution continued until victory was ach ieved. Such a loss should spur on all members to unite and work hard and honestly together towards the fulfillment of the final goal of attaining true freedom and self- determination of the State of Mthwakazi. Freedom is priceless, and it's a great honor to die for one's freedomand rights than for anything else . Also bear in mind that freedom shall never be donated, we have to work hard together to fight for and defend our rights and freedom.
Never again shall the people be afraid in the land of their birth, Mthwakazians must stick to and
familiarize themselves with the contents of the Chitawa Declaration document as their freedom
charter.Mthwakazians must be free to make friends with whoever they choose, just like anybody else. They must be free to seek assistance from anywhere in the world even from Zimbabwe without any big brother hindrances. It must ultimately be noted that the State of Mthwakazi was only defeated once, that is by the British Colonial forces in 1893. Since that period and particularly since Zimbabwe attained independence, the Mthwakazian people have suffered genocide, ethnic cleansing, disappearances, brutality of unimaginable proportions, rape, plunder, and a multiplicity of other crimes against humanity; but as a people, the Mthwakazians have never been defeated in any battle (real or imagined) by the forces of colonial Zimbabwe.
Put differently, the Mthwakazians would not have suffered genocide and various forms of ethnic
cleansing if they had a leader such as General Nandinandi. They would have resisted and expelled the enemy with considerable force never experienced even by the European colonialists. This for the simple reason that under the leadership of General Nandinadi, the Zipra forces would not have been disarmed only for their defenseless populations to be maimed as happened during the Mthwakazi Genocide. But then it is a historical fact that Zipra then was led by people who wanted appeasement at all cost and at the expense of defenseless Mthwakazians being annihilated rather than achieving peace through rigorous resistance and force of arms.
it is also a historical fact that no sooner had Zipra willingly surrendered its arms (as part of the so-called national unity building exercise) at the behest of its then leaders, than the ZANU-PF regime embarked on a programme to inflict genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Mthwakazi people. Killing defenceless people and committing genocide and ethnic cleansing against a defenceless population cannot be recorded as victory against the Mthwakazi nation. It remains simple what it is, a coward act of committing barbarity and genocide against a defenceless Mthwakazi population. The fact remains that the ZANU-PF batman would not have dared pick up a fight with an armed Mthwakazi population. They would have lost immeasurably.
Hence we reiterate that the Mthwakazi people have never been, neither will they be, defeated by the ZANU-PF batman in any theatre of war. That will not happen because, never again will the Mthwakazi people be led by weak leaders who can be manipulated at any time for a song or a falsified imagined Zimbabwean identity and therefore opt for appeasement rather than achieving permanent peace for the people of Mthwakazi. The people of Mthwakazi will forever remain the people of Mthwakazi in spirit, soul and body. No amount of force even from the almighty will ever make them anything else other than being Mthwakazian.
Under Zipra we did not have a history, we were never taught about the gallant fighters of King
Lobengula who resisted the onslaught of European colonialism with spears, bows and arrows throughout Mthwakazi country against an enemy with powerful weapons (machine guns, explosives and others). We were only taught about the imagined never ever achievable ideals of socialism and communism (foreign doctrines), hence we had had to surrender our own defenses thinking that what was being achieved (Embabwe) was liberation for us all. But we were mistaken.
Under General Nandinadi, we have finally managed to he proud of who we are and our rich history as the people of Mthwakazi, the history that was bequeathed to us not by foreigners, but by our own gallant fore fathers who established a State of Mthwakazi which was unfortunately destroyed by European colonialism in 1893. it is the restoration of that state which General Nandinadi has reminded us about, for which for the first time we are proud to be who we are, Mthwakazi people. General Nandinadi's contribution in this regard is immense.
Without firing a single shot in anger, the people of Mthwakazi now know who they are and that they suffered genocide and ethnic cleansing simply for being who they are and not what they ought to be, but for being Mthwakazi people. This is all Genera! Nandinadi's contribution.
Today, we have a number of peaceful programmes under the banner and brand Mthwakazi, from colleges, football teams, musicians, praise singers (imbongi), political groupings and movements and a range of other such programmes which when combined are benefitting our people in many ways. Books tracing the history of Mthwakazi have also been written and others are being written, so are documentaries and films that should be hitting our screens in the near future. Two books in particular are a must read: 'Free Mthwakazi' by Mthwakazi Liberation Front and The Rule by Conquest — A Struggle in Mthwakazi' by Jonathan Maphenduka. A Restoration (Divorce) Document was also compiled under the leadership of General Nandinandi which was dispatched to the United Nations, Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Union (AU), various governments across the world, including the Zimbabwean Government and a number of Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as well as established churches of the world.
The arts are alive and vibrant, including cultural groups, as a result of General Nandinandi's
contribution to the cause of the Mthwakazi struggle. Recently, the Mthwakazi case has been re-introduced to the Zulunation, as we seek a deeper understanding of our plight. Soon delegations will be visiting a number of areas all in the name of campaigning for the restoration of Mthwakazi State.lt is in recognition of the contribution of General Nandinandi that you are also invited to join us so as to make a positive contribution in our quest for the restoration of Mthwakazi.
There are of course many ways that you can assist or make your impact felt in this journey of liberating Mthwakazi. Donations will also do as we require those for a number of Mthwakazi related issues such as education, sport, health programmes and many others.
It is a historical fact that Mthwakazi existed as a separate state before the advent of European
colonialism and as such that it will rise again in our life time, and however big and deep the Grand Plan has been crafted, it will never stop an idea of its time. We have seen the debilitating impact of the ZANU-PF Grand Plan on the education of our children, on their health, their socio-economic conditions, their future and the language imperialism of our rulers and the destructive force of all the combined policies on the general welfare of all Mthwakazians, but even then we remain absolutely resolute in opposing this scourge of oppression with dedicated determination and courage.
Our General Nandinandi, just as millions of others who fled the wretched colonial Zimbabwe
subsequently acquired the citizenship of other countries on both humanitarian grounds as well as the recognition that they were a stateless people.
Today, due to the imposition of language imperialism in virtually all schools in Mthwakazi country, children of kindergarten, early learning and primary schooling age are also fleeing their country Mthwakazi solely to be able to breathe and speak own mother tongue, something which is increasingly being criminalised under the ZANU-PF regime of colonial Zimbabwe.
Just as our esteemed leader General Nandinadi had recognized early on, it is our hope that the world will finally listen to the peaceful pleas of our people to free themselves from the worst forms of external oppression and colonialism. Another Moses will rise from the people of Mthwakazito lead the children of Mthwakazi out of the fires and hunger of Sordom and Gomora.
The question that Mthwakazi people are settlers from South Africa, is all rubbish and dangerous even to the clowns who sponsor it, the people behind the grand plan.Mthwakazians, but no one else, are the rightful heirs of the land of their forefathers, with all its animals, rivers, mountains, mineral wealth, valleys and dongas.
It must be remembered at all times and under whatever circumstances that our people who were
annihilated in the Mthwakazi Genociide by the ZANU-PF Gugurahundi exterminators, remain unburied to this very day. It is therefore important that we all redouble our efforts so that all those who were buried alive in mass graves, thrown in disused mine shafts, bayonetted alive to reveal the still moving fetuses, disappeared, raped and so forth, receive human burial rites in accordance to our traditions, culture and customs.
Not least, it is a very sad reality to worship other people's cultures and their ancestors whilst negating your own. Finally, it is our hope that one day General Nandinandi will be accorded an opportunity of reclaiming his citizenship of Mthwakazi with the rebirth, restoration and rise of the Mthwakazi State. It is in those terms in mind that our heroic General Nandinadi will forever remain an inspiration and a shining light for all Mthwakazians all over the world, yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever.
This is the message to be transmitted very clearly to all those who might fail to treat the Mthwakazi
revolution with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.WOKOYO! AKASILAHLANGA BAKWETHU UGENERAL NANDINADI, HE WILL FOREVER REMAIN IN OUR HEARTS AS A GREAT TOWERING LEADER AND REVOLUTIONARY OF OUR TIME!
INKOSI VI NKOSI NGA BANTU I IBONWA NGA MANXEBA'YO! L IQHAWE NGE ZENZO ZAKHE! ABANTU...YITHI YITHI ABANTU. LONG LIVE GENERAL NANDINANDI.
MEET YOU ON FREEDOM DAY.
9 March, 2016 SIGNED: 9 March 2016
Dr. M. C. Guduza A. Sibanda
MLF Vice President MLF Secretary General
Source - MLF
