Nkosentsha Khumalo
Former cadres for the liberation struggle who fought from the ZAPU/ZIPRA faction continue to sing the blues when it comes to being recognized as heroes or heroins of this country.
It is unfortunate that the decision to grant such a status lies squarely with Zanu-PF highest making decision body, the politburo.
Suggestions have been made that an independent committee or commission should be set up to select who is accorded the status of a hero or heroine.
If this were so, many, including those in ruling party would definitely fall by the wayside.
Apparently, Zanu-PF’s neglect to grant former Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Eunice Nomthandazo Sandi Moyo a national heroine status has brought the issue of Matabeleland’s marginalization back into the spotlight.
Tempers are flaring with the majority of the populace, especially in Matabeleland region demanding answers of as to why she was not awarded a National herione status?
The fallen, notable herione, to many who valued her dignity, war credentials and contribution to the country after independence, joins the long list of former Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) and Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) nationalists who have been denied a hero status by Zanu-PF.
Sandi Moyo laid to rest yesterday, at the Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo.
Former Minister Sandi Moyo, met her ultimate death last week Thursday, while admitted at Mater Dei Hospital battling hypertension.
Her memorial service was held at the Bulawayo Amphi Theatre and it took place without the usual grandeur one would expect for a National Heroine. The ceremony was quiet and uneventful, a stark departure from the protests and debates surrounding her denied heroine status.
Esteemed speakers present at the service were Members of Zanu-Pf Politburo in Bulawayo Province, Rtd. Col. Tshinga Dube, Zanu-Pf Bulawayo Province Member Cde J. Sibanda, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Hon. Judith Ncube and the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Province Hon. Melta Moyo.
Current Mayor of Bulawayo His Worship Senator David Coltart was present as well.
As mourners paid their final homage, the silence spoke volumes about the deep rooted marginalization that continues to plague Matabeleland and its heroes.
Many in the region see this as yet another glaring example of how the ruling elite is deliberately dismissing the region’s heroes and by extension, its people.
Sandi Moyo was a significant figure in Zimbabwean politics who dedicated her life to serving her country. However, Zanu-PF saw fit to only offer her a state assisted funeral, which is a far cry from the recognition many believe she deserved.
The state assisted funeral was yet, another flagrant display of disregard, a meager consolation for a woman whose contributions merited nothing short of the highest accolade.
To be declared a National Hero in Zimbabwe, an individual must have made notable contributions to the nation’s history, political landscape, or society. Mainly, one must have been actively involved in the country’s liberation struggle, leadership roles in government or public service, or notable achievements in areas like sports, arts, or academia.
The government’s decision has raised serious questions about the fairness of the hero status criteria and its applicability especially in Matabeleland region.
Suprisingly, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is very much aware that the late Hon. Sandi Moyo deserved to be accorded a National Heroine status or Provincial Heroine status because of her commendable service to the country.
In his condolence message, Mnangagwa said,
“A staunch, veteran nationalist who was intimately involved with the politics of the country, the late Amai Moyo will be remembered for her sterling services to Metropolitan Bulawayo Province and to our nation under the first republic.”
“The late Comrade Sandi worked exceptionally hard to rally communities for national community development, thus anticipating our policy on devolution which has become the centrepiece of the second republic and the vehicle for spatially balanced and community-specific developments which leaves no one and no place behind.”
However, despite this acknowledgement, Sandi has been left behind.
During the service, a Member of the Zanu Pf Politburo in the Bulawayo Province pleaded with the mourners to shy away from pointing fingers at the President for not awarding Sindi Moyo a heroine status, stressing that politicians also encounter challenges and make mistakes in their paths.
“Usually the one who points fingers at the President claiming that he is a devil, becomes the devil himself three times, hence I urge you all to be careful with what you do.”
“The late former President, Robert Gabriel was a forgiving and understanding President who did not hold any grudges on anyone. Mugabe awarded a heroes burial to some people who were residing with Smith and Mzorewa but yet they who wanted to bomb Zambia and Mozambique. It is but surprising of as to how the president Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has not granted Sindi a dignified National Heroine status she deserves since she did not plan on doing cruel things but worked for the country.” Said Dube.
He said mistakes do happen in politics, further putting emphasis on that politicians also make mistakes.
Dube said President Mnangagwa is also a forgiving person who holds no grudges on anyone.
Rtd. Col. Dube said Sandi Moyo participated in Zimbabwean politics during the most toughest crucial times when there existed G40s and Lacoste, which were both Zanu-Pf factions, but at loggerheads with each other.
The G40s were the young 40 that wanted to rule the country.
“Those were the most toughest times in politics because a member of the G40 was not supposed to be seen associating with a member of the Lacoste group. If you were seen doing that then they would assume that you were also part of that group.”
“Even during those times, it was difficult to tell yourself that you were not a member of any of the two groups as one would be allocated to your name.”
The Lacoste group was believed to be led by President Mnanganwa, whose mornicker is the crocodile.
Bulawayo Mayor Sen. David Coltart said Sandi Moyo was a milastrous daughter and leader of the City of Bulawayo, who served the City and community so diligently.
“During the times when I was still in the Ministry of Education, she served our City so diligently.
“We must think of her as a politician that we should never forget. The City remembers her contribution, particularly in empowering women.”
Coltart admired Sandi Moyo’s humbleness even after she had resigned from public office.
Hon. Melta Moyo, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Matabeleland South Province said Sandi Moyo served as their administrator in Zambia, who gravely assisted women with clothing, bathing water and food to over 8 000 women and young girls at a soldiers camp.
“When we came back to Zimbabwe, she was a member of Zapu, and then also became a member of Zanu-Pf when the two parties had joined forces and merged into one.
“Sandi was keen on seeking assistance for those who needed it most. Before she died, she had sent me a video and a picture, pleading with me to assist a struggling member who partook in the liberation struggle and she personally wanted us to meet so as to discuss that.”
Having been born in November 8, 1946 in Bulilima Mangwe Plumtree, the late Sandi Moyo grew up in the neighbouring South Africa where her father used to work.
She attended Primary School in De aar in the Cape Province and later attended Barkley Road High School. She then returned to Zimbabwe where she taught in several schools in Bulilima Mangwe after which she became actively involved in campaigns to improve teaching conditions under the white colonial rule. This saw the beginning of her political career.
Moyo then progressed to work at the Bulawayo City Council (BCC).
In 1975, she joined the liberation struggle in Zambia where she was promoted to committee member of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU).
She attended an Industrial Relations Course in Germany in 1977 and was also one of the leading female trade unionists under the National African Trade Union Congress in 1979.
Hon. Sandi Moyo was a member of the Zapu delegation to the Lancaster House Conference which resulted in Zimbabwe’s Independence in the year 1980.
At Independence, the late Sandi Moyo was appointed to run the Umguza Complex which included a technical college, farms and cooperatives.
Moyo then along with other women established Women in Business Zimbabwe (WIBZ), where she further travelled around the country empowering women on entrepreneurship and market participation. This organisation gave women economic freedom, that is collateral security in business.
She participated and contributed to work within the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in Bulawayo.
Hon. Moyo was also a board member of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Cooperation (ZBC), ZimTrade and Jairos Jiri Association.
She was appointed the Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province in 2013 until retirement in 2017.
She died May 16, 2024 at the age of 78.
Her burial has sadly passed quietly with no recognized accolades from those in power, the highest accolade of a National Heroine.
Some undeserving people, especially artists were given hero status.
Ironically, musician Soul Muzavazi Musaka, better known as Soul Jah Love, who was born many years after independence, was accorded liberation war hero status.
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