LEGENDS of Chimurenga 2: Part one, a documentary film by Zimbabwe Heritage Trust (ZHT) about exploits and brave acts of freedom fighters during the liberation struggle won the Best Zimbabwean Documentary at the just ended Zimbabwe International Film Festival Trust (ZIFFT).
The 84-minute documentary celebrates some of the freedom fighters famous for heroic acts during the war of liberation.
This year’s ZIFFT ran under the theme ‘Narratives from Africa’.
Legends of Chimurenga 2: Part One speaks directly to a generation which did not experience the liberation struggle.
Speaking to Patriot Arts, producer and director of the documentary film Ashwin Sikireta said a lot of work had gone into the project.
“There is a stage of pre-production where you are doing the research and obviously identifying primary sources who would corroborate any research evidence provided by the secondary sources.”
Legends of Chimurenga 2: Part One is a liberation war story based on three captured guerillas who, against the odds, escape from their Rhodesian captors.
It is based on the heroic acts of Clifford Rutsate whose Chimurenga name was Cde Sando Kano, Cde Simon Bakare (Cde Zu Tichatonga) and Cde Chandipamwari Chikoto (Liberty Kuwayawaya).
Bravery and dedication are the common features displayed in the documentary film.
It shows how these comrades, despite being tortured and forced to betray fellow freedom fighters, would not budge and remained loyal to the ideals of the liberation struggle.
As they engaged the enemy, they were captured by the Rhodesians and taken to Ngundu, a Rhodesian camp notorious for torture.
Cdes Sando Kano and Cde Zu Tichatonga together with Cde Chauyachinesu were captured by Rhodesian forces on September 30 1978 at Madhafu Base in Chief Nyamhondo’s area, Mberengwa, in Gaza Province.
Typical of Rhodies, they underestimated the power and will of freedom fighters to liberate their country.
The documentary film also provides an account of Cde Liberty Kuwayawaya who operated in Manicaland Province.
Like his fellow Cdes in the Gaza Province, Cde Liberty Kuwayawaya remained loyal to the struggle.
He was captured in 1978, in the Sadza area of Chivhu.
Shot, and with intestines hanging out, he was captured and hospitalised by the Rhodesians who, during his recovery process, tried to ‘turn’ him.
But he remained loyal and did not sell-out.
War collaborators and fellow freedom fighters who feature in the documentary explain how the Rhodesians failed to break the guerillas.
The captured guerillas were given two options; to supply information on operations of other comrades or die.
They had to hatch and execute an escape plan, which they did successfully.
The captured Cdes were promised money, cars, houses, women and even jobs in the Rhodesian Government but they would not betray the struggle.
An analyst featured in the documentary, Irvin Munhamo Murambiwa, said it was befitting to call these dedicated comrades legends.
“Anyone who left their home to go and fight a war in which there was no reward , no salary, for which the motivation was the only cause , I think there is no greater heroism than to put your life on the block…on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe (sic),” said Munhamo.
“I think they were heroes, but to then be captured and come back and re-join fellow comrades, there is no greater heroism than that — these are legends.”
Zimbabwe Heritage Trust are also the producers of documentaries ZANLA Comes to Town and The Battle of Mavhonde that have both received Best Documentary awards.
However, concept developer for Legends of Chimurenga 2: Part One, who is also the deputy CEO of ZHT, Cde Canaan Mugadzaweta, said despite having produced such rich documentaries, they are not receiving enough media coverage.
“We have done so many projects in terms of documentaries but, unfortunately, they have not been getting airplay.
“We did ZANLA Comes to Town two years ago and it was only screened once or twice on ZTV but these are types of films that are beneficial to children.
“We do not know if it is the problem associated with management or to be blunt, it is a negative attitude towards the war (sic),” said Cde Mugadzaweta.
He said, despite charging very little on rights compared to the expenses ZHT incur, the documentaries are side-lined.
Cde Mugadzaweta said ZHT will continue with the themes that surround the story of the liberation struggle.
In the pipeline is Legends of Chimurenga 2 :Part Two and another one titled Rogue War Veterans which depicts freedom fighters who operated outside their units, only returning to them for ammunition.