Opinion / Columnist
Mr. President, Zimbabwe already has a new breed of heroes - but your regime persecutes them
9 hrs ago | Views
A country's liberation struggle never ends.
During the burial of the late Air Vice Marshal (Rtd) Winnie Cabby Mandeya at the National Heroes Acre, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared that Zimbabwe needed a new generation of heroes and heroines.
He urged Zimbabweans to draw inspiration from the liberation struggle and the legacies of those interred at the national shrine to fuel the realization of national goals.
However, what the president conveniently ignored is that Zimbabwe already has a new breed of heroes and heroines.
The only tragedy is that, under his leadership, they are not honoured - they are hunted, jailed, demonized, and cast as enemies of the state.
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These are the brave men and women who, since independence, have taken it upon themselves to challenge the grave injustices, repression, and impoverishment visited upon Zimbabweans by those who once claimed to be liberators.
These are the heroes who rose in defiance against the betrayal of the liberation struggle, which was hijacked not for the emancipation of the black majority, but to satisfy the narrow ambitions of a few who saw independence as a golden opportunity to take the place of the colonial oppressor.
It became a transition not of systems, but of skin colour.
When Zimbabwe attained independence in 1980, the vast majority of citizens expected genuine freedom, equal access to opportunities, and the dismantling of an exploitative political and economic system.
Instead, what transpired was merely the changing of the colour of the oppressor.
The governance structure that had previously favoured a white elite was swiftly embraced by a black elite who had no interest in reforming it - only in benefiting from it.
This was never about building a just and equitable society; it was about capturing power and wealth.
There was no serious effort to undo the foundations of injustice that had propped up white minority rule.
Racially segregatory laws were certainly removed, but the economic system remained one that favoured a small minority.
Token development for the black majority was provided only to give the illusion of progress, but the fundamental inequalities remained untouched.
Today, nearly 45 years after independence, the vast majority of Zimbabweans continue to languish in poverty while a connected few gorge themselves on the country's resources.
The true heroes and heroines of post-independence Zimbabwe are those who chose to confront this betrayal.
People like Morgan Tsvangirai, who endured beatings, arrests, and vilification for daring to represent the voice of the poor and marginalized.
Edgar Tekere, who broke ranks with his own party in the early 1990s when it became clear that the ruling elite had strayed from the values of the struggle.
Itai Dzamara, who was abducted and never seen again after staging peaceful protests demanding accountability.
Shadreck Gutto, Bornwell Chakaodza, Learnmore Jongwe, and Margaret Dongo - these and many others fought for truth, justice, and real freedom.
Today, that same spirit burns in people like Farai Maguwu, tirelessly defending communities affected by state-linked mineral looting.
Obert Masaraure, standing up for teachers and education.
Hopewell Chin'ono, exposing grand corruption with courage and resilience.
Job Sikhala and Jacob Ngarivhume, persecuted for choosing the side of the people.
And countless others whose names may never make the headlines, yet whose daily sacrifices embody the true spirit of heroism.
Tragically, the only thanks these heroes receive from the Zimbabwe regime is persecution, harassment, arrest, and imprisonment.
These are Zimbabwe's new heroes and heroines.
They have been there all along.
What they lack is the official recognition and respect from a government more interested in shielding looters than celebrating those who defend the nation's conscience.
How can a government that lauds corruption and criminality be expected to honour true patriotism?
The irony is painful.
While hospitals lack basic medications, cancer machines, ventilators, or ambulances, while thousands perish from easily treatable conditions, while 80% of Zimbabweans live in poverty and 90% are unemployed, the ruling elite and their cronies enjoy obscene wealth.
This is not because of lack of resources.
It is because of the looting of those resources by the very people who claim to be heroes.
This is a betrayal so vile that it renders meaningless the very concept of liberation.
Even worse, those who dare speak out against these injustices are vilified.
If President Mnangagwa were serious about wanting a new breed of heroes, he would not have to look far.
He could start by visiting Blessed Mhlanga in the D-Class section of Harare Remand Prison.
There, he would find a real hero.
Mhlanga, a journalist, has now spent over two months incarcerated without bail, simply for interviewing war veteran Blessed Geza, a vocal critic of the president who called for his resignation.
Mhlanga also reported on a suspicious attempt to dispose of the state-owned People's Own Savings Bank.
For this, he is punished - not because he broke the law, but because he dared to hold power to account.
This is the fate of true heroes in Zimbabwe.
Rather than being celebrated, they are criminalized.
Their courage is met with repression, not recognition.
Their patriotism is treated as a threat, not a virtue.
They are not buried at Heroes Acre.
They are buried in the dungeons of Zimbabwe's prisons or in the obscurity of political marginalization.
So when President Mnangagwa talks about the need for a new generation of heroes and heroines, one must ask: what kind of heroes does he mean?
Does he mean those who support him unconditionally and refuse to hold him accountable?
Those who cheer on the looting as long as they get a slice of the spoils?
What kind of heroes and heroines celebrate the suffering of the majority while living in lavish mansions, flying in private jets, and sending their children to expensive schools abroad?
Real heroes stand with the oppressed.
They fight for justice, even when it costs them everything.
They refuse to be silent in the face of tyranny.
They expose corruption and demand better.
They speak truth to power.
These are the people who will one day be remembered in the pages of history as the true defenders of Zimbabwe.
Mr. President, Zimbabwe already has a new breed of heroes and heroines.
The only question is: will you finally honour them, or continue to persecute them?
© Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice advocate and writer. Please feel free to WhatsApp or Call: +263715667700 | +263782283975, or email: mbofana.tendairuben73@gmail.com, or visit website: https://mbofanatendairuben.news.blog/
During the burial of the late Air Vice Marshal (Rtd) Winnie Cabby Mandeya at the National Heroes Acre, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared that Zimbabwe needed a new generation of heroes and heroines.
He urged Zimbabweans to draw inspiration from the liberation struggle and the legacies of those interred at the national shrine to fuel the realization of national goals.
However, what the president conveniently ignored is that Zimbabwe already has a new breed of heroes and heroines.
The only tragedy is that, under his leadership, they are not honoured - they are hunted, jailed, demonized, and cast as enemies of the state.
To directly receive articles from Tendai Ruben Mbofana, please join his WhatsApp Channel on: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaqprWCIyPtRnKpkHe08
These are the brave men and women who, since independence, have taken it upon themselves to challenge the grave injustices, repression, and impoverishment visited upon Zimbabweans by those who once claimed to be liberators.
These are the heroes who rose in defiance against the betrayal of the liberation struggle, which was hijacked not for the emancipation of the black majority, but to satisfy the narrow ambitions of a few who saw independence as a golden opportunity to take the place of the colonial oppressor.
It became a transition not of systems, but of skin colour.
When Zimbabwe attained independence in 1980, the vast majority of citizens expected genuine freedom, equal access to opportunities, and the dismantling of an exploitative political and economic system.
Instead, what transpired was merely the changing of the colour of the oppressor.
The governance structure that had previously favoured a white elite was swiftly embraced by a black elite who had no interest in reforming it - only in benefiting from it.
This was never about building a just and equitable society; it was about capturing power and wealth.
There was no serious effort to undo the foundations of injustice that had propped up white minority rule.
Racially segregatory laws were certainly removed, but the economic system remained one that favoured a small minority.
Token development for the black majority was provided only to give the illusion of progress, but the fundamental inequalities remained untouched.
Today, nearly 45 years after independence, the vast majority of Zimbabweans continue to languish in poverty while a connected few gorge themselves on the country's resources.
The true heroes and heroines of post-independence Zimbabwe are those who chose to confront this betrayal.
People like Morgan Tsvangirai, who endured beatings, arrests, and vilification for daring to represent the voice of the poor and marginalized.
Edgar Tekere, who broke ranks with his own party in the early 1990s when it became clear that the ruling elite had strayed from the values of the struggle.
Itai Dzamara, who was abducted and never seen again after staging peaceful protests demanding accountability.
Shadreck Gutto, Bornwell Chakaodza, Learnmore Jongwe, and Margaret Dongo - these and many others fought for truth, justice, and real freedom.
Today, that same spirit burns in people like Farai Maguwu, tirelessly defending communities affected by state-linked mineral looting.
Obert Masaraure, standing up for teachers and education.
Hopewell Chin'ono, exposing grand corruption with courage and resilience.
Job Sikhala and Jacob Ngarivhume, persecuted for choosing the side of the people.
And countless others whose names may never make the headlines, yet whose daily sacrifices embody the true spirit of heroism.
Tragically, the only thanks these heroes receive from the Zimbabwe regime is persecution, harassment, arrest, and imprisonment.
These are Zimbabwe's new heroes and heroines.
They have been there all along.
What they lack is the official recognition and respect from a government more interested in shielding looters than celebrating those who defend the nation's conscience.
The irony is painful.
While hospitals lack basic medications, cancer machines, ventilators, or ambulances, while thousands perish from easily treatable conditions, while 80% of Zimbabweans live in poverty and 90% are unemployed, the ruling elite and their cronies enjoy obscene wealth.
This is not because of lack of resources.
It is because of the looting of those resources by the very people who claim to be heroes.
This is a betrayal so vile that it renders meaningless the very concept of liberation.
Even worse, those who dare speak out against these injustices are vilified.
If President Mnangagwa were serious about wanting a new breed of heroes, he would not have to look far.
He could start by visiting Blessed Mhlanga in the D-Class section of Harare Remand Prison.
There, he would find a real hero.
Mhlanga, a journalist, has now spent over two months incarcerated without bail, simply for interviewing war veteran Blessed Geza, a vocal critic of the president who called for his resignation.
Mhlanga also reported on a suspicious attempt to dispose of the state-owned People's Own Savings Bank.
For this, he is punished - not because he broke the law, but because he dared to hold power to account.
This is the fate of true heroes in Zimbabwe.
Rather than being celebrated, they are criminalized.
Their courage is met with repression, not recognition.
Their patriotism is treated as a threat, not a virtue.
They are not buried at Heroes Acre.
They are buried in the dungeons of Zimbabwe's prisons or in the obscurity of political marginalization.
So when President Mnangagwa talks about the need for a new generation of heroes and heroines, one must ask: what kind of heroes does he mean?
Does he mean those who support him unconditionally and refuse to hold him accountable?
Those who cheer on the looting as long as they get a slice of the spoils?
What kind of heroes and heroines celebrate the suffering of the majority while living in lavish mansions, flying in private jets, and sending their children to expensive schools abroad?
Real heroes stand with the oppressed.
They fight for justice, even when it costs them everything.
They refuse to be silent in the face of tyranny.
They expose corruption and demand better.
They speak truth to power.
These are the people who will one day be remembered in the pages of history as the true defenders of Zimbabwe.
Mr. President, Zimbabwe already has a new breed of heroes and heroines.
The only question is: will you finally honour them, or continue to persecute them?
© Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice advocate and writer. Please feel free to WhatsApp or Call: +263715667700 | +263782283975, or email: mbofana.tendairuben73@gmail.com, or visit website: https://mbofanatendairuben.news.blog/
Source - Tendai Ruben Mbofana
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