AS the country continues to celebrate Heroes month, ZBC News casts the spotlight on the bravery of freedom fighters who came up with various strategies to adapt to different situations when they were cornered by Rhodesian forces.
The liberation of Zimbabwe could not have been possible without the contribution of Tanzania especially Nachingwea training camp in Lindi Region of southern Tanzania, that produced more than 15 000 guerrillas.
But how did the leadership manage this kind of a group without attracting the attention of the enemy?
Nachingwea was one of the camps specifically constructed using a guerrilla tactics blueprint which saw the desperate colonial regime trying in vain to discredit the freedom fighters claiming that they were animals that would disappear when cornered, yet it was their ability to adapt to any environment.
One of the guerrillas’ strengths was being secretive and a house which was used by former Frelimo leader, Cde Samora Machel and later by ZANLA forces after the independence of Mozambique was specifically constructed for that purpose.
After convening meetings in this secret room, the leadership would disappear through a tunnel to an airstrip to avoid detection.
“This camp is one of the places rich in history, for instance this house has a tunnel that stretches for 2km which was being used by leaders, so they would land somewhere and then come through the tunnel. They would also disappear through the tunnel when under attack,” said Nachingwea Secondary School head, Mr Zacharia Mudimu.
“I trained here in 1977 in the second group and I believe this camp was important because it produced one of the largest group, we were more than t thousand and the other groups had such numbers,” noted Brigadier General Ephias Mahachi.
While the former camp, which is now a school has been preserved as a memorial site, the local leadership is convinced of its potential to attract tourists.
“We are so happy that your government is interested in keeping the memory of this place, we are happy because it will promote domestic tourism,” highlighted Nachinguea District Commissioner, Mr Mohammed Moyo.
With the land use changing due to the increase in population, the Zimbabwean delegation that toured Nachingwea camp believes there is need to immortalise the site to preserve the country’s history.
“This is an important part of our history, we can’t afford to lose it. We were sent by the President so that we can memorialize all the sites of historical significance and when we look at this place, it is very significant to our history and we need to do something about it, especially the tunnels and other facilities,” indicated Deputy Chief Secretary to the Present and Cabinet, Mr Zvinechimwe Ruvinga Churu.
Since its adoption as a training camp by ZANLA forces in 1976, Nachingwea produced more than 15 000 guerrillas comprising Songambele, Fanya Haraka and Maliza groups.
