Sunday News Reporter
FORMER war veterans national secretary for projects Cde Andrew “Volunteer” Ndlovu is now a published author having penned three books on the liberation struggle and political-economy of Africa in relation to the rest of the world.
First to be published was Demob Magazine where Cde Ndlovu talks about the projects, culture and developments in relation to former freedom fighters.
Second to be published is Zimbabwe Struggle: The Delayed Revolution, which chronicles Cde Ndlovu’s participation in the country’s armed struggle while Africa and Darkness, set to be published soon interrogates the colonisation of Africa and causes of wars that have afflicted the continent.
Speaking to Sunday News, Cde Ndlovu urged other ex-freedom fighters to write about their own experiences during the armed struggle, saying it was important to archive the country’s history for the sake of future generations.
“If you go to the Internet today it is awash with pictures and stories of former Rhodesian soldiers while we the cadres that sacrificed everything for this country, are just comfortable telling our stories through oral means, that way we are burying our history and killing it,” said Cde Ndlovu.
“We should archive our information using modern technology. I call upon my colleagues in the liberation and armed struggle to put their experiences in writing. Writing should also be taken as another phase of the revolution.”
Cde Ndlovu also called for an inclusive liberation war history, saying while it was crucial to document the Zipra and Zanla war experiences, it was also important to look for former Rhodesian soldiers, especially the blacks to also tell their own side of the story.
“I believe the former Rhodesian soldiers also have something to say, I would like to hear their side of the story, especially our black brothers. They have a lot of information that they should tell us. Some of them, we were integrated together in the Zimbabwe National Army after Independence and they went on to participate in many campaigns where our defence forces were involved such as DRC and Mozambique tours of duty to just mention a few,” said Cde Ndlovu.
“If it is possible the Government should find a way of coming up with an umbrella body or platform that would include all ex-service men. However, I am not talking about those former Rhodesian soldiers having benefits that are enjoyed by former freedom fighters. We need to know where those people are. The Soviets used to tell us that after the war the authorities should be able to account for all former militants, ex-soldiers should not be left loose, the authorities should have a rough idea about the whereabouts of each individual lest that person has turned into a dangerous animal.”