The story Cde Newton Nyamuwana

THE story of our country’s liberation struggle is littered with many heroic tales.
There are legends of the struggle; individuals whose names shall never be forgotten, whose daring and logic-defying acts will always be remembered.
Men and women whose actions left many believing beyond a shadow of doubt that they were born for war.
Rhodesian education taught us about European and Greek legends.
We knew of the exploits of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
We knew of the exploits of Achilles, a good fighter among the Greeks.
And then the Second Chimurenga began.
It was a war of the people, waged to remove the brutal Ian Smith regime.
And out of this war, our own legends were born.
Kid Marongorongo, Mao and James Bond are among names that will forever ring loud in the annals of our country’s history.
They are names that sent shivers down the spines of Rhodesians.
These were men-of-men who wielded the gun and wreaked havoc on the enemy.
Many have just heard of their daring acts.
I saw them.
I interacted with them.
I shared food with them.
I talked with them.
I assisted them.
I know some of the missions they executed before their demise.
These guerillas were mostly active in Mashonaland Central, in the Nehanda Sector, specifically in the Centenary and Chiweshe areas.
I resided in Chiweshe under headman Chinehasha.
We were among the first people to interact with guerillas.
I was a mujibha and we had been tasked with an important duty – to assist vakomana.
The three, Mao, James Bond and Kid Marongorongo operated in our area and left us with no doubt of the payoff line we heard on Radio Mozambique which said: “People of Zimbabwe, victory is certain!”
At one time or another, one of these three comrades would come and be with us at the pungwes or visit our homes.
For example, one day at a ceremony yekurova guva at Chafesuka homestead, some comrades paid us a visit, taking advantage of the gathering.
They mingled with us like ordinary villagers and among them was the legendary James Bond and Mao.
They were rarely found in the same company.
Each operated individually and in some instances with a select few.
It was in 1974 when they visited.
Later we learnt that Mao’s real name was Patrick Tavengwa and James Bond was Paul Murwira.
Records that say James Bond was a ‘hard man’, a good planner, courageous and would give orders with nobody doubting, that he used to hand-pick his own people and re-train them commando-style and that he did not like cowards, are true to the dot.
It is recorded that he would go and fight at daybreak; that again is true.
I witnessed it.
In the early hours of the function yekurova guva James Bond and his
men disappeared and attacked Rhodesians who were camped in our area.
The Rhodies never knew what hit them; they were wiped out.
History has recorded Mao as ‘more politically mature’, a fighter who would sit down and explain in detail the objectives of the war, why they were fighting, who they wanted to liberate and what we would do after liberation.
This again is true and accurate.
As we drank the traditional brew that night, Mao emphasised our importance in the struggle.
He made it clear that the war would only be won with our support.
We were young; among the first war collaborators.
They left behind some inspired youths.
But those inspired youths would a few hours later get some more inspiration, of a different kind this time.
Through sellouts, Rhodesians learnt that the comrades responsible for the demise of their fellows had been at Chafesuka homestead the previous night.
And they visited us.
As we lounged in the early morning sun listening to music on a small transistor radio, the Rhodesians descended upon us.
I was with Richard, Garikai and Pama Chafesuka.
The interrogation began as we were thoroughly beaten, but we confessed ignorance about any guerillas in the area.
When we thought they were done, they said they would be taking us to Betcombe Base in Matepatepa.
We had been beaten to a pulp, but the mere mention of Betcombe Base sent chills down our spines.
KuBetcombe kwairohwa munhu akabvuma kwaasina kuswera.
Despite the torture, we remained mum and today I am proud to say I interacted, fed and helped these legendary sons of the soil.
Compiled by Evans Mushawevato