The 1893 Matabeleland Human Rights Restoration Movement (MHRRM) honoured veteran freedom fighter, former minister and opposition politician, Moses Mzila Ndlovu, with the prestigious General Lookout Masuku Award for his contribution to peace and reconciliation in Zimbabwe
This accolade recognises Ndlovu’s ‘unwavering’ commitment to advancing human rights and seeking justice for people of Matabeleland and Zimbabwe, particularly victims of the Gukurahundi genocide.
The award, named after liberation hero General Lookout Masuku, celebrates individuals who embody resilience, leadership, and an unrelenting spirit in the face of adversity, which the movement said Ndlovu’s life and career epitomise these values.
Speaking at the award event on Saturday in Bulawayo, Deputy Executive Director of the 1893 MHRRM, Greater Sibanda, explained the importance of acknowledging outstanding contributions while individuals are still alive.
“Often, we wait to honour people after they are dead and made it normal but today, we break from that norm. Moses Mzila has been a steadfast advocate for justice and human rights, and we want him to know that his contributions are deeply appreciated,” Sibanda said.
He praised Ndlovu’s distinguished career, from his early days as a teacher inspiring young minds at Sobukazi High School to his role as a ZPRA platoon commander during the liberation struggle.
Trained in the Soviet Union, Cuba, and Angola, Ndlovu demonstrated exceptional leadership on the battlefield.
His resilience during the Gukurahundi genocide further cemented his dedication to his community, Sibanda added.
Sibanda also highlighted Ndlovu’s pivotal role in reforming the College Lecturers Association of Zimbabwe (COLAZ), influencing the formation of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in 1999, and his advocacy for truth, justice, and reconciliation.
“As a politician, he won the Bulilimamangwe South Parliamentary seat in the 2000 elections and served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and later as Minister of State in the Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration. Mzila’s leadership and dedication have made him a beacon of hope and a true champion for Matabeleland,” Sibanda said.
The 1893 MHRRM was established to address historical injustices and restore the dignity of Matabeleland’s people.
Sibanda said the movement has undertaken various initiatives, including erecting a fence at the Gadade Memorial and providing water to drought-stricken communities in Bulawayo.
“Our movement is about addressing past injustices and building a future where all people of Matabeleland can thrive,” Sibanda explained.
“This award underscores our commitment to celebrating those who uphold these values.”
MHRRM Executive Director Thembani Dube, represented by Elson Ndlovu, commended Ndlovu’s resilience, likening him to a “Buffalo soldier in the heart of Matabeleland.”
“You have been an amplified voice of the voiceless, advancing the sacrosanct rights of the people of Matabeleland. We recognise that in fearlessly carrying out your generational mandate and duty you have sacrificed a lot and lost a lot in your life,” Dube said.
“Despite the painful setbacks, you have remained guided by Matabele values of love, fairness, justice, and meritocracy. You have never held back in advancing these when it may have been fashionable to do so.”
Local pressure group Ibhetshu LikaZulu’s Secretary General, Mbuso Fuzwayo, said, “Ndlovu is the face of resistance and an inspiration to many. He shaped us as young people to fight for liberation and justice”.
Fuzwayo recounted Ndlovu’s tenure as Minister of State in the Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation, and Integration, during which he fearlessly engaged with Gukurahundi victims, despite facing persecution.
“He was a minister who was put in leg irons—not for corruption but for standing for his people,” Fuzwayo noted.
“The Injustice done to Mzila by the government was so severe, even today they have made sure that his farm is subdivided. You cannot run away from the fact that the reason why he is persecuted is he is a freedom fighter and then they find it not making sense to have a freedom fighter who is opposing the current government.”
In accepting the award, Ndlovu spoke of the hardships he has endured in his fight for justice. He shared personal stories of persecution, including an incident in 2001 when his home was surrounded by armed individuals intent on harming his family.
“I told them, ‘Inside that home are my children. Just a tiny drop of their blood, and you will face the consequences,’” he recounted.
Ndlovu reflected on the challenges of being a leader in a hostile environment and noted that the ceremony reminded him of the ongoing challenges faced by Matabeleland and the need for collective efforts to address them.
“One woman in koZimnyama in 2002 when I was arrested urged me to be strong, noting there were people who looked up to me for strength. She said if I faltered the people would also falter but if I stayed strong they would have courage,” he said.
“She told me people who face insults and assaults are leaders.”
Despite these struggles, Ndlovu remains steadfast in his commitment to his people.
“What others see as heroic deeds are simply appropriate responses to situations at the time,” he remarked.
“I am not under the protection of the law in this country, but that will not deter me. the pain that I have gone through, I am still going to go through as long as I am alive does not become an issue.”
