As the world celebrated Mother’s Day, Ibhetshu LikaZulu’s tribute to 21 women burned alive in Emkhonyeni, Tsholotsho, served as a poignant reminder of Zimbabwe’s unresolved history. On March 16, 1983, these innocent mothers, daughters, and sisters were locked in a hut and set ablaze in a calculated act of extermination. This horrific incident stands as one of the most brutal episodes of the Gukurahundi genocide, which claimed an estimated over 20,000 lives between 1983 and 1987.
The Gukurahundi genocide remains a dark chapter in Zimbabwe’s history, with many of its victims and survivors still seeking justice and recognition. Ibhetshu LikaZulu’s Secretary-General, Mbuso Fuzwayo, named the 21 victims, including Sikhangezile Msipha, Deliwe Ndlovu, and Eva Tshuma, who remain largely absent from the country’s official history. These women were not just statistics; they were mothers, daughters, and sisters who left behind families and communities that still feel the impact of their loss.
Fuzwayo’s words painted a vivid picture of the daily struggles Zimbabwean women face. They wake before dawn to search for food, fetch water from distant boreholes, and endure humiliation at hospitals without medication. He condemned the state’s refusal to acknowledge past atrocities, saying, “These women embody the spirit of sacrifice and dignity amidst a monstrous economy that punishes the innocent and rewards the corrupt.” The economic collapse and misrule by the Zanu PF regime have only exacerbated the suffering of these women and their families.
Ibhetshu LikaZulu’s tribute wasn’t just a nostalgic glance at the past; it was a call to action. Fuzwayo demanded a full and public acknowledgment of the Emkhonyeni massacre and all Gukurahundi atrocities. He also called for a survivor-centered truth-telling and reconciliation process, independent of government manipulation, to ensure that the voices of the victims are heard and their stories are told without interference. Furthermore, he demanded justice for the families of the victims and memorialization of the women who died, whose names and stories must be etched into the national conscience.
Fuzwayo’s words echoed with a powerful message: “Let this day not pass as mere sentiment. Let it be a rallying cry for justice, dignity, and remembrance. We honour not only the nurturing hands of mothers but the blood of the fallen. We will not forget. We will not be silenced.” This statement serves as a reminder that the struggle for justice and recognition is far from over. The people of Zimbabwe, particularly the survivors of the Gukurahundi genocide, continue to demand accountability and closure. As the country moves forward, it is essential to acknowledge the past and ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.
source –cite.org.zw
