Independence of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe was conceived as a country on the morning of 18th April 1980,attaining its independence from British rule. Its independence did not come on a platter - two Chimurenga wars were fought as black people resisted white rule. The wars themselves were not based on gender and age - young men and women took to the bush - schools lost students - wives lost husbands. Myths and determination guided the fighting African's.

lt was believed being a freedom fighter made you invincible to bullets - you would turn to pumpkins and escape detection e.t.c Freedom fighters mostly recruited with the psychology of words. They would hold pungwe meetings at night descending in songs which honoured pride in the sons of the soul,a connotation associated with being black and African.Meetings cultivated converts as more and more headed for Mozambique and Zambia for training.

The Rhodesian Government on the other hand unleashed terror in black homes,raiding villages and prosecuting the elderly,children - no one speared. They demanded to know where their teenage sons and daughters where?lt was a matter of cross-roads - freedom fighters had a devastating menu for sell-outs. Mothers accepted claps for their missing children. The elderly watched in horror as their live-savings were destroyed. lt was pain!

Meanwhile leaders of the freedom fighters were imprisoned. The Rhodesian army was reinforced with the South African army. The then Prime Minister of Rhodesia,lan
Smith had declared illegal independence from Britain in 1965.Political parties were banned. Freedom fighters cried for mother Britain to stop breast-feeding Rhodesia. On paper they did but tankers of British Petroleum were seen supplying towns. Further more the British Premier of that time,Harold Wilson refused to send an army to punish prodigal Rhodesia.

"lt was life goes on for white Rhodesians but hard times for blacks."The rules of apartheid took toll - black political parties hated each other and fought but that did not stop them going in the bush.They realised the only way for freedom was to fight. This is how the BLACKS of Rhodesia gained world wide recognition. Nigeria expelled many British companies - Black Americans demonstrated,Russians and China trained the freedom fighters and neighbouring countries,Zambia,Mozambique became bases for the fighters."Blood,tears and coughs gripped the fight for freedom. ln the end,it was all joy and an inspiration for the suppressed worldwide. The late Reggae legend,Bob Marley jotted a tribute to Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe became the only African country to achieve its independence via the gun. There was mild dialogue but lan Smith vision of a century long rule was blinded. The freedom fighters had to surrender their guns after signing at Lancaster House,in London 1979. This is where the land issue of Zimbabwe was born. Then PM,Margaret Thatcher had promised to compensate and assist in land reform as a concession to the downing of weapons.Zimbabwe was also binded to give whites certain priveledges for a duration of 10 years such as a greater representation in parliament.

Within months,Rhodesia was named Zimbabwe meaning 'House of stone'.Britains,Prince Charles lowered the British flag and gave way to the new Zimbabwean Flag on the eve of 17th April 1980.Reggae star,Bob Marley and other international stars congratulated Zimbabwe and had a big gig.

The tragedy of Zimbabwe brought laughter and comedy -the late,Joshua Nkomo(one of the leaders of the freedom fighters),once entered Britain without a passport declaring his face was a passport. Mbuya Nehanda, the tragedy of Zimbabwe died a slow agonising death,naming a war cry that one day her bones would rise to liberate Zimbabwe!