The Political Allure of Highfield in Zimbabwe

ZANU-PF campaign launch at Highfield on July 5, 2013. The ruling party of Zimbabwe is preparing for harmonized elections on July 31., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

The political allure of Highfield

Sunday, 07 July 2013 00:00
Features Reporters
Zimbabwe Sunday Mail

There is an aura, a sentiment that is interwoven in the character of the seemingly sleepy Harare suburb that was named Highfield.

It continues to be part, if not integral, to the tapestry of the country’s historical narrative.

Its historical romanticism is undeniably seductive as it continues to author, witness and capture the key moments in the growth of Zimbabwe.

Having been “christened” Highfield by the colonial settlers after being founded on what used to be Highfields Farm, the country’s second oldest suburb gradually became the hotbed and sanctuary of men and women who became the face of nationalism.

Having endured backbreaking work in nearby industries in Southerton and Workington, the inhabitants of the suburb also gradually assumed a character that defined the history of Zimbabwe.

As a result, Highfield gave birth to the revolution, nurtured it and currently continues to sustain it.

In essence, it has become a sacred pedestal of national politics.

At the launch of Zanu-PF’s 2013 election manifesto, party chairman Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo succinctly captured the reverence of the suburb.

“Highfield is no doubt an undisputed nationalist melting pot of our country,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.

“It was here that your compatriot, the late Umdala Wethu Dr Joshua Nkomo landed with a number of revolutionaries from Zambia on January 13 1980 to a resounding and thunderous welcome from hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans from all over the country.

“It was here, Your Excellency, that you landed with a number of revolutionaries from Mozambique on January 27 1980 to a tumultuous welcome from multitudes of Zimbabweans from all over the country.

“History often repeats itself and it is being repeated here today.”

And, again, on Friday it seemed as if life had indeed come full circle, from the black and white images that were captured in 1980 at these sacred political grounds to the colourful sea of Zanu-PF cadres who gathered to witness the beginning of what some have termed the political Armageddon that will end the proxy politics of the past 14 years, indeed the last battle.

President Mugabe called it “a battle of our lives”.

Back then, the crowds that were gathered were enchanted by the soul-soothing revolutionary ballads, but on Friday the medley of urban beats by the new generation of musicians helped to define the DNA of a dynamic, maturing and enduring political revolution.

Cde Simon Mutematsuka (75), who fought in the liberation war and was present at the first rally held at the Zimbabwe Grounds in 1980, said Friday’s event was emotional as it was reminiscent of what had happened 33 years ago.

“It is like life has come full circle,” he said.

“I was here when President Mugabe made his entrance and today I am here again to listen to his message 33 years later.

“His message of black empowerment and self-determination is the same 33 years later and it is the message I hold dear till this very day.

“This has shown that in Zanu-PF we have a consistent and God-given leader with a track record of putting the people first.”

Similarly, Mr Wayiresi Chikwasha (71), who was also present at the first rally in 1980, said Friday’s event evoked cherished memories.

“The crowd today differs a bit from the crowds we had back then,” he said.

“Today’s event has evoked memories of what the country was going through during those days. It was a time of great excitement and expectation.

“Today we find ourselves in more or less the same situation, where expectations are high that Zanu-PF will again regain its rightful position.”

It is undoubted that the sanctity of this suburb, established in the 1930s, is underlined by the fact that it was to the Second Chimurenga what the Svosve communal area is to the Third Chimurenga (the Land Reform Programme).

The history of Zanu-PF, as a party, is also inextricably linked to this township.

It was here back in August 1963 when revolutionaries such as Herbert Chitepo, Ndabaningi Sithole, Edgar Tekere, Leopold Takawira, Henry Hamadziripi and Mukudzei Mudzi gathered at the home of Enos Nkala to form the party.

The house is now the prized possession of 65-year-old Tapfumaneyi Mutowembwa.

Father Zimbabwe, the late Dr Joshua Nkomo, also had a house here, so did other eminent men such as Josiah Chinamano, George Nyandoro, Michael Mawema and George Silundika.

Monumental structures such as Cyril Jennings Hall and the Mushandirapamwe Hotel, whose walls eavesdropped on nationalists as they charted a road to freedom, also loom large to this day.

It was not an accident of history that all the nationalist and revolutionary cadres had found a home here; and, naturally, it was also not by default that the settler regime classified the area a high security risk and decided to ring-fence it.

Despite the heavy hand of the colonialists, secret meetings in Highfield’s four district areas — Two pounds, Five pounds, 12 pounds and the Stands — to plan resistance to settler rule continued under the cover of darkness.

But it was the much-anticipated return of freedom fighters and their leadership in January 1980 that was one of the most important events in Zimbabwe’s 20th century history.

First to arrive was former PF-Zapu leader who later became Zimbabwe’s second Vice President, Father Zimbabwe, Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, who, together with Zipra revolutionaries and other senior party leaders, landed in Harare (then Salisbury) on January 13 1980 to a thunderous welcome by thousands of supporters and well-wishers.

He was followed on January 27 1980 by the then Zanu leader Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe, accompanied by senior Zanla combatants.

They all chose the Zimbabwe Grounds as the central point to kickstart their election campaigns slated for February 1980. The million-plus people who welcomed them back home after years of struggle in Zambia and Mozambique were drawn from every corner of Zimbabwe, and not just Harare.

They were upbeat about the return of their liberators.

The Patriotic Front leaders and other fighters were welcomed not only with jubilation but also song and dance, artistic forms that shaped the struggle and made a painful homecoming look like the best nationwide celebration the country had ever had.

And, what better place for the Patriotic Front leaders to launch the long-awaited democratic Zimbabwe they had bitterly fought for than Highfield!

Did you know?

Highfield, which is located south-west of the capital, was built on what used to be Highfields Farm and, according to researchers, the farmhouses and gate can still be seen and have become part of Rutsanana Clinic near St Peters Kubatana High School.

Highfield is the second oldest suburb in the country after Mbare, having been established in the 1930s.

Highfield primary zones were Old Highfield and New Highfield.

Old Highfield was the first to be established in the 1930s and had four distinct areas: Two pounds, Five pounds, 12 pounds and the Stands. The names usually reflected the prices of the properties.

New Highfield was established in 1956 and has zones such as Lusaka, Egypt, Jerusalem, Canaan, Engineering, Cherima (because it used to be off the power grid), Zororo and Western Triangle.

Cde Enos Nkala’s former house is now owned by 65-year-old Tapfumaneyi Mutowembwa who purchased it in 1985.

The late former Vice-President Joshua Nkomo’s house is now owned by 66-year-old Ambuya Anna Kanyere.