‘We’re now in 4th Chimurenga’…Liberation struggle continues in changed terrain — President

Joseph Madzimure and Wallace Ruzvidzo
ZIMBABWE is going through a Fourth Chimurenga, which seeks total control of every aspect of its national wealth and economic development, President Mnangagwa has said.
In his address at the burial of national hero Air Commodore (Retired) Simon Bere at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare yesterday, the President traced the evolution of the liberation struggle, saying the First Chimurenga was fought against colonial occupation and subjugation, while the Second sought political independence and the Third focused on land recovery.
Under the goals of the Fourth Chimurenga, he said the Second Republic had a duty to deliver life-transforming results, honouring the sacrifices of departed heroes and heroines such as Air Commodore (Rtd) Bere, who fought for the country’s independence, freedom and democracy.
“The late national hero, Air Commodore (Rtd) Bere was in that mould of these yesteryear cadres. He ran his race and fought his fight. He has finished well.
“To you, our departed comrade, Air Commodore, I say; your critical mission is accomplished. Us, who remain behind, will stay true to the ideals of the revolution.
“We shall continue the march, flying high the sacred flag of our motherland, Zimbabwe and forever safeguard the rich legacy bequeathed to us, by our many revolutionary forebears,” said the President.
Towards this end, he said the attainment of upper-middle-class economic status by 2030 was a stepping stone toward greater prosperity, industrialisation and modernisation.

“As we inter this gallant son of the soil, at this national shrine, let us remember that the people’s revolution and the struggle continues, albeit in a changed terrain.
“Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.
“All of us have the weighty obligation to consolidate national unity and work with vision and focus to drive Zimbabwe to a higher economic status,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said it was incumbent upon the general citizenry to ask themselves how they could contribute to the country’s growth and development, adding, “Iwe neni, tose tine basa” (you and me, all have a role to play).
“The question before all of us today is; What is it that we can contribute to consolidate the gains of our hard-won independence?
“What is our individual and collective sacrifice for the attainment of our national development aspirations and Vision 2030?
“Ngatizvibvunzei kuti tingaiteyi kuti nyika yedu isimuke, uye ibudirire iyende mberi. Iwe neni, tose tine basa. Ndangariro dzedu ngadzive dzekuvaka nyika yedu, kwete kuputsa. Unity, peace and development remain our national guiding principle and moral compass,” he said.
President Mnangagwa then designated tasks to the youth, women, war veterans and those in the civil service.
To the youth, he said they were the cadres of the contemporary Chimurenga, with their battleground now in the digital economy, mining, tourism and manufacturing.
“You are reminded that you are the vanguard of our independence, freedom and democracy.
“I urge you to occupy the domains of artificial intelligence, robotics and other modern fields of human endeavours.
“Never shy away from the challenges and opportunities before you. Embrace innovation, be the employers and entrepreneurs that drive our nation forward,” said the President.
To the Women, he said they had sustained the liberation struggle and now they had the duty to support the economy through Small and Medium Enterprises.
“By and large, you bear the brunt of climate change and the effects of economic sanctions imposed on our country, by some Western countries,” said President Mnangagwa.
To the veterans of the liberation struggle, he said their new base was the community, while calling upon them to deploy their strategic mindsets, discipline, loyalty and rich history to mentor the next generation of the country’s patriots.
“Equally, I challenge the civil servants, officers, men and women across the security sector, to continue wholeheartedly serving our nation with patriotism, urgency, humility and focus,” said the President.

President Mnangagwa said the environment and circumstances surrounding the protracted liberation struggle were different, and that today patriotism and loyalty in the national interest must translate into increasing production and productivity.
“It must also mean buying Zimbabwean products and services, building Zimbabwe, defending and speaking good over our nation as well as proclaiming and declaring the blessings of Almighty God over Zimbabwe.
“As we implement National Development Strategy 2, therefore, our farmers are urged to be aware that our land, plots, agriculture business units and horticulture fields, are the present-day trenches.
“In good and lean seasons, we must feed the nation and guarantee national food self-sufficiency as a critical component of national security and sovereignty,” he said.
President Mnangagwa extended his condolences to the Bere family, describing the late national hero as “an asset to us all”.
“Air Commodore (Rtd) Bere passed on, on April 24, 2026, after serving our great motherland, Zimbabwe as a young freedom fighter, professional air officer and civil servant.
“In all these areas, he always exhibited unparalleled patriotism, loyalty, discipline and unflinching dedication to our country, never seeking personal glory.
“The late gallant son of the soil, was an asset to us all.
“Befittingly, therefore, we lay our departed national hero, whose war-time name was ‘Brian Garanewako Chimurenga’: here, at the National Heroes Acre, along-side other illustrious sons and daughters of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” he said.
President Mnangagwa then contextualised the historical times that informed Cde Bere’s revolutionary decisions.
“By 1978, Rhodesia was burning, as the war to liberate Zimbabwe had reached every corner of the country.
“The racist colonial regime had made education, the economy and wealth, privileges of a few settlers.
“Land and livestock expropriation, coupled with oppression and marginalisation, were a reality for the black majority.
“Born on September 19, 1959, the late Air Commodore (Rtd) Simon Brian Bere, faced a choice, either to submit to a life of being a second-class citizen or to fight for a new free, independent and sovereign Zimbabwe,” he said.
The President said Cde Bere made the monumental sacrifice to fight for self-determination, national identity and the dignity of the people of Zimbabwe.
In December 1978, Cde Bere crossed into Mozambique and joined the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army at Samacuesa Base.
Thousands of other young men and women were making the same journey, crossing into Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia for military training and ultimately to return home and fight for freedom.
“I call upon all our people, young and old alike, to never take for granted or trivialise that sacrifice.
“It took supreme bravery, courage and determination to leave home, to face enemy fire, disease and possible death, in a struggle where victory was certain, but the timelines, unknown.
“Zvaida vakatsunga moyo, uye vakazvipira kuti ropa ravo raizowanikwa pamureza weZimbabwe,” said President Mnangagwa.
On completion of military training at Samacuesa, the late (Rtd) Air Commodore Bere, was appointed Detachment Political Commissar in the Education Department.

“This was based on the clear understanding that wars are won by ideas.
“The importance of national consciousness and grassroots mobilisation were indispensable aspects of the liberation struggle.
“Our national hero thus, taught, politicised and prepared minds of our people for both the protracted struggle as well as for freedom and independence.
“As the liberation war intensified, the Rhodesians were forced to pursue peace, resulting in the Lancaster House Conference of 1979,” said the President.
Following ceasefire, Cde Chimurenga reported to Tongogara Assembly Point, waiting for the birth of an independent Zimbabwe.
“To the young people and the entire nation, let us always recognise that our freedom was not donated and never came on a silver plate.
“It was fought for by your grandfathers and grandmothers, uncles and aunts, underwritten by the blood, scars and wounds of many of our forebears.
“The late national hero, Cde Bere, never wavered from this beacon. He was persistent, consistent and a reliable and dependable cadre, right up to his demise,” said President Mnangagwa.
In 1981, the late Comrade Bere joined the Air Force of Zimbabwe as an Air-craftsman.
He underwent Basic Military Training at Field Air Force Base, now Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo Air Base.
Together, with others, these men and women took over institutions designed to oppress the black majority and helped transform them into instruments for the development of the country’s defence and security architecture, and the country as a whole.

He specialised in Explosive Ordnance Disposal, which skills he effectively deployed during his participation in the Mozambique and Democratic Republic of Congo campaigns.
The late national hero, rose through the ranks, from Air Lieutenant in 1993 to retire as Air Commodore in 2024.
“Today, we sadly mourn him, but also celebrate a life of merit, hard-work, loyalty, patriotism, discipline, exemplary leadership and results,” said President Mnangagwa.
The late (Rtd) Air Commodore Bere also pursued studies at university level, where he attained qualifications in Political Science, Security and Strategic Studies as well as National Defence.
Given his background in commissariat work, the late national hero was seconded to the Ministry of War Veterans in 2016.
Following his promotion to Director War Veterans Affairs in 2020, he was instrumental in advancing programmes and projects being undertaken by the Second Republic, to improve the welfare of veterans of the liberation struggle.
The President was accompanied by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.
Vice Presidents Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Dr Kembo Mohadi were also in attendance together with Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, Cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, senior ZANU PF members, service chiefs and other senior Government officials.