By Catherine Murombedzi

With rain showers since time immemorial falling in April, the Shona have known the month as Kubvumbi. 

Today, Kubvumbi still showers, with climate change failing to dampen the light rains. Kubvumbi means light showers of rain. 

Rain in the African tradition is an omen of good tidings. It is no coincidence that Kubvumbi is a sacred month in the history of Zimbabwe. 

We ought to celebrate April with song and dance. 

We ought to pass the history in our own words from generation to generation. 

We ought to shower Kubvumbi with showers of praise. 

None but ourselves will do that. 

Not only should we mark April 18 our Independence day, when in 1980 the Union Jack came down, we must celebrate April in full. 

In celebrating April, we seize the opportunity to honour the neglected accomplishments of our heroes who charted the road to the freedom we now enjoy. 

Americans celebrate Black History Month, running from February 1 to the end. 

It is also known as African-American History Month. 

It began as Negro History Week in 1926, taking place second week of February. 

They chose the second week as it coincided with the birthday of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. 

A Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson is credited with raising awareness and creation of the Negro History Week. 

Later in 1976, President Gerald R. Ford expanded the commemoration into a full month.

Like all subjects, Black History Month is contentious, with critics arguing why devote a whole month to a single group. 

Proponents demand that black history be marked throughout the entire year, arguing that setting aside one month gives people the licence to neglect black history for the present day American prosperity.

Cde Dust Mukudu, a veteran of the liberation struggle calls on the current generation to tell the Zimbabwean story in full, marking the first quarter of the year.

“No one will ever tell the Zimbabwean struggle correctly if we fail to do so ourselves. From the family unit, children must know the truth. Schools will be the second place with gatherings highlighting reminders of where we came from. It is sad that many people do not even know where to place Cde Herbert Chitepo in our history. The first quarter of the year is paramount to Zimbabwean history,” said Cde Mukudu. 

“Cde Chitepo was murdered on March 18 in Zambia when a bomb placed in his car exploded. Our children know of Benito Mussolini without any knowledge of our own heroes. 

“It is our duty to value and cherish the history of Zimbabwe. Oral and written history must be passed on without distortions.” 

Historic events since April 1896 

The first rebellion started in April 1896 and by year end 1897 the leaders, Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi and Mukwati were captured and charged with the murder of Native Commissioner Henry Hawkins Pollard. 

The spirit medium, Nehanda Nyakasikana’s life was prematurely ended on April 27 1898. She bravely faced death vowing: “My bones will rise again.” 

What had led to Mbuya Nehanda vowing?

History shows the indigenes of Dzimbahwe were warm to strangers. 

The Portuguese had traded with the locals since 1500. 

By 1890, white settlers from Britain arrived in Zimbabwe with the locals warmly receiving them. 

The settlers had a hidden agenda. 

The wanted the country’s minerals.  

Spirit mediums gave guidance to handling of the strangers and one such was Mbuya Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana. 

She promoted good relations between the locals and early European settlers. 

She is quoted by Wikipedia to have said: “Don’t be afraid of them, they are only traders, but take a black cow to them and say this is the meat with which we greet you.” 

Relations became strained in 1894 with the settlers imposing hut tax cattle tax and forced relocations as the later occupied fertile land pushing the indigenes to stony patches not suitable for habitation. 

The indigenes revolted against the settlers in June 1896. 

This was the beginning of a protracted struggle to shake off the chains of colonialism. 

The First Chimurenga by the Shona was led by Mbuya Nehanda. 

Nehanda was a force in the rebellion, together with Mukwati and Kaguvi.

Mbuya Nehanda refused to bow to the demands of the oppressors, turning down the offer to be baptised and converted to Christianity.

Nehanda was sentenced to death by hanging, with several theories given on the difficulty the killers faced terminating her. 

For half a century, the indigenes appeared subdued and became ‘dormant’. 

This was not so, events were brewing underground as a few brave cadres regrouped and strategised. 

In Zambia, men of honour lived in exile, formulating the way forward to free Zimbabwe. 

The guns blazed again on April 28 1966 in Chinhoyi, signalling the sons and daughters of the soil had awoken to take back their heritage, the land. 

A group of seven guerillas launched an attack in Chinhoyi. 

A force had been reborn; the bones of Mbuya Nehanda had risen again, as per her promise, marking another start to a ferocious armed struggle.

The Battle of Chinhoyi took the settlers by surprise. 

Known as Chinhoyi Seven, the cadres who crossed from Zambia intended to blow up a pylon at Lion’s Den. 

According to Mudhumeni Nyikadzino Chivende, the target of the Seven was to blow the pylon supplying power to the country from Kariba Hydro Power Station and plunge the country into darkness. 

This would be a signal to other cadres that they had infiltrated the country. 

The cadres were cornered before they got to their target and a battle ensued from 6am to 4pm. 

The seven heroes were finally defeated when they ran out of ammunition. 

The number of Rhodesian casualties was high but never brought out in the open for fear of acknowledging the armed struggle.

A shrine today marks the place where the seven heroes, David Guzuzu, Arthur Maramba, Christopher Chatambudza, Simon Chingozha, Nyandoro Godfrey Manyerenyere, Godwin Dube and Chubby Savanhu perished. 

We will forever remember you! 

April should be revered and understood from the Zimbabwean story, from a Dzimbahwe perspective. 

No one will tell the Zimbabwe story correctly and with pride; it’s for us to pass down the history without distortions. 

Zimbabwe came through blood, lest we forget. 

Cadres lie in unmarked graves in Zimbabwe. 

Thousands lie in mass graves in Chimoio, Tembwe, Morogoro and Mboroma.

Today, the land issue remains a contentious issue. 

In 2000, the indigenous people had no choice but to reclaim what was forcefully grabbed by the settlers from their ancestors.

Today, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at National Heroes’ Acre is a sombre reminder of all cadres lost and lying in unknown graves.

Sleep well unknown soldier, rara zvakanaka gamba rirere musango, lala kuhle unknown soldier, you did not die in vain!

Despite objections which can fly from uninformed citizens, I believe devoting March and April to remembering people who made sacrifices dismantling the shackles of oppression is important. 

That awakening begins with you and me!