Story by Providence Maraneli
A lot has been written about the liberation struggle that toppled the Ian Smith regime. Still, little is said about the slick and meticulous operation by three daring ZIPRA guerrillas that recruited 400 Manama High School children, teachers, and nurses in 1977 and walked for more than 40 kilometres to cross the mighty Shashe River in one night.
On January 5, in 1977, a group of ZIPRA guerrillas were first seen roaming around Manama Mission High School in Gwanda South, 40 km from the Shashe River crossing point to Botswana.
Political consciousness in the country had reached fever pitch, and secrecy was a precious commodity that could not be bought.
As rumours of an impending Manama High School exodus grew, the Smith regime deployed soldiers to guard the school.
On January 30, 1977, at around 5 pm, soldiers abandoned their posts for a beer binge, and three guerrillas with AK-47 rifles were seen jumping the perimeter fence at Manama High School dormitories as students were preparing for their evening devotions at the school chapel.
In a split second, more than 400 students had gathered at the assembly point.
However, it was not without a fight, two gunshots were heard from the administration office corridor, which left two holes that are still visible.
In no time, the 40 km journey to the Shashe River, and ultimately to Botswana had begun.
But how did three guerrillas pull off such a daring mission?
“The morale was high. We crossed the Thuli River around 7 o’clock. We arrived at Japi’s shop, and that is when we got food. We had taken the school fees from the school, and we walked the whole night. We got to Shashe at around 5 am, and we were given boys’ uniforms because our uniforms were too bright,” former Manama student, Cde Nditsheni Ndou said.
“The rumour was going around that Manama School was going to the war, and Smith deployed his soldiers to guard the school. But on the day they left to have some drinks at the shops, everything happened,” another former Manama student, Thiso Dube noted.
“Oh hey, I remember the day. I was the teacher on duty, and I didn’t know anything, but some students were organising with the guerrillas, and it was dinner time. When I was called in, students were already gathered at the square,” Freedom fighter and Manama High School teacher, Dr Obert Machalaga added.
But to move 400 students, nurses, and teachers without casualties and hiccups needed collaboration with the community and a copious understanding of the terrain.
“Unfortunately, I was not part of the comrades who organised the recruitment, but now that I have trained, I noticed that their operation was meticulous. They had studied the terrain for quite some time. There was collaboration, because we got to Japi’s shops, got clothes, food, and a lot of stuff there. We were quite a large group, and it meant that we needed to be organised,” Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Albert Nguluvhe said.
As the country celebrates its 45th Heroes Day anniversary next month, it should be remembered that the 30 January Manama exodus changed the course of the war.
“The contribution of Manama was great because it was a big number, and it made a difference. Those who were old enough to go for training went to training, and some of them are in government. It was important for mobilising the people because they got to understand that the cause was serious and children were leading the way, so it needed everyone to join,” Vice President, Cde Kembo Mohadi noted.
The Manama Mission High School leadership is planning to erect a plaque in honour of the children and teachers that left the school to liberate the country.
