Back to Index
National Hero Tonderai Serge Ndira remembered
Movement for Democratic Change
May 14, 2011
Three years
after the death of an unsung national hero of the struggle of people's
freedoms, Tonderai Ndira's friends, neighbours, family, human
rights and political activists, leadership and the general membership
of the MDC Youth Assembly gathered at his house in Mabvuku to commemorate
his life. Ndira's life was synonymous with the fight for human
rights and democracy. Those who knew his trade called him ''serge''.
He worked with many civil society organizations, among them the
NCA,
Crisis
in Zimbabwe Coalition, CHRA,
MISA
and ROHR Zimbabwe.
At the time
of his death, Ndira held the position of the secretary for Security
in MDC Youth Assembly. Ndira's death epitomizes the magnitude
of the evil driven by power greed as ZANU PF was confronted with
the people's verdict to surrender power to a new dispensation
of an MDC government of the people by the people during the elections
of March 2008. Tonderai was murdered in cold blood after being
abducted
at his home in Chizhanje, Mabvuku around six in the morning and
his body was discovered after seven days in Goromonzi as a testimony
of a shocking indescribable gruesome murder. Tonderai is among other
heroes of our time, Learnmore Jongwe, Mabika, Better Chokururama,
Chiminya, Mtetwa, Godfrey Kauzani, Jani to mention but a few who
were murdered by Zanu PF.
Hundreds of
youths from Harare and surrounding places gathered at Ndira's
house in the morning (14 May 2011) to celebrate the third anniversary
after his untimely death in the hands of Zanu PF militia. Speaker
after speaker praised Ndira's bravery and selflessness which
unfortunately led to his untimely death. Clifford Hlatywayo the
MDC Youth Assembly Secretary for Information and Publicity encouraged
the youth of MDC to show the world that they are the youth with
a difference. He buttress that as the 2011 theme of the Youth Assembly
states, "Together to the end, Building a Youth with a Difference"
the MDC family must walk the talk. Secretary General Promise Mkwananzi
said that Ndira was loyal to the party and democratic agenda while
challenging the youths of Zimbabwe to emulate and follow in his
footsteps. Mkwananzi further reiterated that the blood of Ndira
shall not flow for nothing as the youth of Zimbabwe are geared to
fight to the end and make sure that Ndira's dreams are fulfilled.
"Prepare
yourself to defend our parents, party and election victory"
charged Mkwananzi. He further told the gathering that their problem
was not how to win but how to defend the party victory as it was
very clear that Morgan Tsvangirai would win any election called
in Zimbabwe. Solomon Madzore the MDC Youth Assembly Chairman addressing
the same gathering said that there was a need to seed the culture
and spirit that Tonderai was living in. Madzore further challenged
all the youths to have a cause as Ndira had a cause for joining
the MDC. "The Youth Assembly, as the vanguard of the party,
we are not only prepared to die for MDC but also to defend our parents
by any means necessary" said Madzore. He also took that opportunity
to advise Zanu PF that they must treat MDC the way they also want
MDC to treat them, as the MDC is also equally capable to do what
they do.
Tonderai Ndira
died on the 14th of May 2008 after being abducted by 12 plain clothes
men believed to be CIO functionaries at his home number 23 Muroti
road in Chizhanje Mabvuku. Ndira was later found dead on the 21st
of May 2008 in Goromonzi at Quincy farm. His decomposing body was
brought to Parirenyatwa hospital where family members and friends
identified him by an armband on his left hand.
Born in Makonde
on the 16th of July 1977, Tonderai joined the MDC in its formation
stages in 1999 in ward 21 Mabvuku/Tafara. In 2001, he was elected
Mabvuku Youth Organising secretary, 2005 chairperson and in 2006
National Secretary for Security in the Youth Assembly until his
death. He survived by his wife Plaxedes and two children, Raphael
12 and Linnet 7. May his revolutionary spirit live forever and may
God make his murders suffer for the whole of their lives.
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
TOP
|