PYD DECLARES EDGAR ZIVANAI ‘TWOBOY’ TEKERE A NATIONAL HERO

Platform for Youth Development Trust (PYD) joins the rest of the
nation in mourning the passing on of the gallant and firebrand son of
Zimbabwe Edgar Zivanai ‘Twoboy’ Tekere. Tekere the founder member of
ZANU is a true nationalist and patriot who has been at the helm of the
struggle for freedom from the British colonial masters. He was pivotal
in the pre-independent Zimbabwe as a veteran guerilla fighter who was
in the trenches holding the gun that provided our independence. We
remember Tekere as a brave cadre who fought against one part state
successfully and now all democratic forces are beneficiaries of his
bravery and selflessness.

Tekere who served in the Zanu high command or Dare rechimurenga during
the war is a national hero.  His desire for a free Zimbabwe led to his
detention at Gonakudzingwa, Sikhombela, Harare Central Prison and
Hwahwa prison where he served 10 years together with Robert Mugabe as
political prisoners of the Smith regime. He sacrificed his life for
the independence of Zimbabwe and we are compelled to honor such
selflessness and spirit of nationalism.

As PYD we urge the whole nation to come out in its numbers and attend
the burial of our national hero Edgar Zivanai ‘Twoboy’ Tekere. As an
organization operating in Manicaland we will be pained if Tekere is
not declared national hero, as this has been the case with Ndabaningi
Sithole from Chipinge. Tekere together with Ndabaningi Sithole founded
Zanu in 1963 though they both died whilst outside Zanu PF structures.

Today our heart burns with chagrin as to the manner in which national
hero status is being awarded. Tekere’s war credentials are clearly
straight forward for all to see. He also proved his nationalist
ideology in the post independent Zimbabwe fighting for the
democratization of the country and the liberalization of the national
hero status to encompass even national luminaries without necessarily
sticking to liberation war credentials only.

The nation will be shocked if he is not accorded his deserving honor.
We know very well how national hero status has become a preserve of
Zanu PF commissioned by the party politburo. Now is the time for the
nation to demand an explanation as to who should be defined a hero.
The biggest question that has not been answered concerns the values
that Border Gezi, Ephraim Masawi and Mernard Muzariri just to mention
a few brought to the nation which Ndabaningi Sithole and Edgar Tekere
did not bring million fold.

As a youth organization we take pride in Tekere’s role at the
formation of Zanu where he was a member of the youth league. Rising
through the ranks to become Zanu secretary general, Tekere’s story
clearly points to a devoted and hardworking young man who gave all for
the independence of Zimbabwe. We believe the youth of Zimbabwe will
continue to actively take part towards the total emancipation of
Zimbabwe from the jaws of Zanu PF dictatorial and securocratic rule.

In Edgar Zivanai ‘Twoboy’ Tekere, PYD remembers and adore bravery,
patriotism; selflessness, nationalism and frank talk, values which we
as an organization preaches every day. We salute you son of the soil.
REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.

Inserted by Thomas Madhuku
PYD Information and Communications Department
For more Information contact
Email: https://mail.google.com/mail/h/5krm0e2pxc8j/?v=b&cs=wh&to=platformtrust@gmail.com
Physical address P.Bag 5004 Checheche, Chipinge
Mobile number: +263 773 010 331, +263 775 042 102