By Prince Zunguru

MY father Denford Zunguru whose Chimurenga name was ‘Tendai Nation’ joined the liberation struggle in 1975.
At the age of 17, father keenly felt the brutality of the Rhodesian government, its abusive nature and that it would not be stopping anytime soon.
Thus he left school to join the struggle and dislodge the brutal system that had no respect for black people.
In every arena of the society, be it the education sector, workplace literally everywhere, blacks were suppressed and were treated worse than animals.
He could not stand the injustices.
He realised that he had no opportunities to become what he wanted to be in life, he would never live as a human being in his own country.
His talents and whatever skills he would acquire would not matter simply because he was black.
At that tender age he was pained and frustrated.
He would have no dignity, no freedom and would never enjoy his heritage.
He found himself with only two options to continue living a life of servitude or take up arms and fight.
Word about fighting the white person with a gun was already circulating in the communities.
Many had already left to receive military training.
Meetings were being held all over regarding the liberation struggle.
And my father growing up in Highfield, was in the hotbed of the struggle.
Nationalist leaders lived in the area, meetings to conscientise the masses and plan the struggle were held on a daily basis.
Father was among the young boys and girls who were influenced by the gatherings of the nationalists.
He did not join groups that left for Mozambique from Highfield.
Instead, he went alone.
From Highfield, father went to his village home in Honde Valley, Manicaland where he took advantage of the proximity of his village to the border to cross over.
Father crossed the border to Mavhonde which was a FRELIMO transit camp.
From Mavhonde, he went to Zhunda Base which was between five and seven kilometres away from Chimoio.
It was at Zhunda that he met the late Cde Tekere and President Mugabe who were coming from Villa Katandika.
For months they stayed there before going to open Nyadzonia which was a former base for FRELIMO soldiers who were just coming from their liberation struggle.
Nyadzonia began to be used as a receiving camp to accommodate many Zimbabweans who were crossing the border to join the liberation struggle.
Back home, many people were beginning to understand the motive of the liberation struggle hence the large numbers crossing into Mozambique and Zambia.
Information about the struggle was also being spread through radio stations such as the Voice of Zimbabwe and others from surrounding countries.
Father says that the increase of numbers at Nyadzonia did not only bring hope to win the struggle, but also resulted in diseases, hunger and even deaths.
Mozambique had just gained independence therefore could not fully assist Zimbabweans who were crossing to their country.
Diseases such as Cholera, Malaria, Hurricanes and the Jigger fleas were common in the camps.
Medication was scarce while food supplies could not cater for the thousands of people at Nyadzonia.
Father tells me that the problems were worsened by détente peace talks which were proposed forcing a halt to the liberation struggle.
Life became difficult at Nyadzonia, but people continued with the struggle.
Father says they kept on encouraging each other hoping for change and for Zimbabwe’s independence.
For a year they were at Nyadzonia, suffering, some dying, but the rest continued strengthened by the hope and vision of a free Zimbabwe.
It was through the negotiations that the détente was stopped and people began to go for military training.
My father was fortunate to be selected and went to receive military training in Tanzania.
He tells me that the experiences at Nyadzonia were so painful that they made him stronger and more determined to fight.
To be continued