Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
LIBERATION war collaborator Cde Felix Tavanda Machando was laid to rest at the Marondera Provincial Heroes Acre this Saturday, in recognition of his contribution to Zimbabwe’s armed struggle for independence.
The burial ceremony drew Government officials, war veterans, family members and community representatives, who gathered to honour a man remembered for his role in supporting liberation fighters during the protracted conflict.
Family spokesperson Mr Thembani Magaya Machando said the conferment of liberation hero status brought both pride and comfort to the family.
“We are happy as a family that this is our first time to have a relative recognised as a liberation hero. I want to thank the Government led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa for granting him hero status. He helped many family members. He supported us by paying school fees following the death of our father. I am one of the beneficiaries of his benevolence,” he said.
War veterans’ leaders highlighted the critical role played by war collaborators in the liberation of the country, noting that their contribution was instrumental to the success of the armed struggle.
Mashonaland East Provincial Chairperson of the War Veterans League, Major (Retired) Daniel Matengo, described the Provincial Heroes Acre as sacred ground reserved for those who made outstanding contributions to the nation.
“This is a sacred place where few qualify to be laid to rest. Today we are laying to rest a war collaborator. War collaborators were critical to the success of the war of liberation. They gave us vital information on the enemy. Cde Machando’s contribution made a huge difference during the liberation struggle,” he noted.
Mashonaland East War Veterans Association Chairperson, Cde Getrude Mazvimba, said war collaborators made immense sacrifices in pursuit of independence.
“War collaborators sacrificed their lives to liberate the country. They brought information on the weapons and numbers of the Rhodesian forces. President Mnangagwa is a listening leader, and that is why war collaborators were vetted,” she said.
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators Association (ZILWACO) Chairperson, Cde Pupurai Togarepi, said the history of the liberation struggle would be incomplete without recognising the role of war collaborators.
“We are here as war collaborators. We fought together with war veterans. The history of the liberation struggle is not complete if it does not capture the contribution of war collaborators. We want to thank the Minister for playing his role in ensuring that Cde Machando was accorded liberation hero status. Cde Machando made huge sacrifices in his quest to liberate the country,” he said.
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, conveyed condolences on behalf of the Head of State and Government and paid tribute to the late liberation stalwart.
“On behalf of President Mnangagwa, all Zimbabweans, and Mashonaland East Province in particular, I extend the deepest and most profound condolences to the Machando family, Cde Felix’s friends, and his comrades in arms here present. We share in your grief, for we have lost a son whose contribution to our freedom and security was immeasurable,” he said.
Advocate Ndudzo added that Cde Machando’s revolutionary journey began before independence.
“Cde Machando’s revolutionary journey began long before the attainment of our independence. He was a product of the struggle, a young man whose love for his country compelled him to take up the cause of liberation as a war collaborator,” he said.
After Independence, Cde Machando served for many years in the Zimbabwe Republic Police before becoming a national executive member of ZILWACO.
War collaborators were vetted in 2022 and are now awaiting gazetting, as the Second Republic moves to ensure that all those who contributed to the liberation struggle receive due recognition.
