Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
AS Zimbabwe marks Independence Month this April, the nation pauses to honour the gallant sons and daughters who paid the ultimate price for its freedom.
Among such revered figures is the late national hero, Brigadier General Charles Gumbo, the first serving soldier to be declared a national hero upon his death in Harare on April 23, 1999.
Brigadier General Gumbo’s military acumen and dedication to duty distinguished him as a consummate professional.
His courage and leadership in combat earned him national admiration, with the late Vice President Simon Vengai Muzenda lauding him as “an outstanding military man in all command functions and procedures across a broad spectrum of arms, corps and services.”
Born in Gutu on February 16, 1954 as the tenth child in a family of eight boys and six girls, Cde Gumbo went to Mundondo School for primary education from 1960 to 1967.
After completing Ordinary Levels at Lower Gweru Secondary School in 1971, he trained and qualified as a boiler-maker.
However, he barely utilised his acquired skill because, in 1975, he skipped into Mozambique to fight in the liberation struggle.
Cde Gumbo was trained as a guerrilla at Tembwe and adopted Charles Tigwe as his Chimurenga name.
For three years from his deployment in 1976 until the ceasefire in 1979, Gumbo operated in Chiredzi, Mberengwa and Chivi districts rising to become a detachment commander.
One of his main tasks was to guide freshly trained fighters from Mozambique into the country through the inhospitable Gonarezhou National Park.
At independence in 1980, he was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army, and carried immense responsibilities of fostering unity among former foes.
During the civil war in Mozambique in the 1980s, Gumbo distinguished himself as a brilliant strategist and was involved in the recapture of many towns from enemy control.
Following successful peace talks that resolved the Mozambican conflict and led to a ceasefire, Brigadier General Gumbo stayed in that country as a member of the truce’s Joint Verification Commission.
In 1998, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), under threat of being overrun by rebels turned to fellow Southern African Development Community (SADC) partners for military assistance.
Zimbabwe obliged and with Gumbo as the SADC Task Force Operations Director, successfully repelled the rebel advance.
At the end of his tour of duty, Cde Gumbo was appointed Brigadier General Staff Army Headquarters.
As the country commemorates Independence Day on the 18th of April, Zimbabweans are paying homage to such gallant fighters and emulate their selfless spirit for the good of the country.
This year’s celebrations will be held in Gokwe North under the theme: Zim@ 45: Devolve and Develop Together towards Vision 2030”.
