December 26 marked 46 years since the death of national hero General Josiah Magama Tongogara, as family members, former comrades and government officials gathered at the National Heroes Acre in Harare to honour one of the most influential commanders of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
General Tongogara, popularly known as General Tongo, died on December 26, 1979, in a road accident while travelling from Maputo to Chimoio. He was en route to brief Zimbabwean combatants following the successful Lancaster House negotiations, which laid the foundation for the country’s independence in 1980. His death, just months before independence, remains one of the most poignant moments in the nation’s history.
Speaking at the annual memorial, members of the Tongogara family said the commemorations had evolved from a private act of remembrance into a national event that reflects the enduring legacy of the late liberation icon. They said the memorial now serves not only to honour his contribution to independence, but also as an important platform to educate younger generations about the country’s liberation history.
Nation Remembers General Tongogara on 46th Anniversary of His Passing
Rangariraihondo Tongogara, a son of the late national hero, said the family had come to realise that General Tongogara belonged not only to them, but to the entire nation. “As a family we always remember him and since 2007, when we started this memorial, we realised that he was not just ours but belonged to the nation,” he said. “For 46 years, many people have been coming to remember him, his commitment to the struggle and what he stood for. This gathering is a reminder of where we come from, and through the foundation we are working with the youth to remind them of the struggle and the hope our father had for Zimbabwe.”
Another son, Tichafa Tongogara, said although the family lost their father at a young age, his values and actions continue to resonate across generations. “We lost him when we were very young, but it is his deeds and what he stood for that still resonate today,” he said. “This 46th anniversary has been empowering for the youth, who are the ones expected to take the journey of our country into the future.”
Daughter of the late icon, Nyaradzo Tongogara, said the memorial remains deeply personal while also carrying national significance. “I keep pushing for this memorial because it reminds us of the man who was our father and what he wanted for Zimbabwe,” she said.
Senator Angeline Tongogara, the widow of the late general, said the annual commemorations help to keep alive the values her husband embodied. “Each year when we gather on this day, I am reminded of the character of my husband and what he did for this country,” she said. “I will continue to celebrate this day in his honour.”
The Josiah Magama Tongogara Legacy Foundation, established in 2007, has become a key pillar of the general’s enduring legacy. The foundation supports underprivileged children across Zimbabwe, with a particular focus on education. Beneficiaries who attended the memorial shared testimonies of how the foundation transformed their lives.
One beneficiary said the foundation supported him throughout his schooling until he secured employment with the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services. “I am eternally grateful for the support I received,” he said. Another beneficiary said he lost his parents at a young age and the foundation took over his educational needs. “I am here because of the foundation and the man who was General Tongogara,” he said. Others noted that the foundation’s work across all 10 provinces reflected the values of discipline, selflessness and service associated with General Tongo.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere said General Tongogara’s vision and commitment to national development remained relevant, especially for younger generations. “We have important lessons to learn from General Tongo,” he said. “As young people, we can emulate his discipline, patriotism and dedication in how we contribute to national development.”
Former comrades, including Major General (Retired) Gibson Mashingaidze and Senator Monica Mavhunga, also paid tribute, recalling General Tongogara’s leadership, discipline and emphasis on political education during the liberation war. Major General (Rtd) Mashingaidze, whose nom de guerre was Cde Gibson Gumbo, said he worked closely with General Tongogara in Mozambique. “Tongo was a firm man who was deeply committed to the independence of this country,” he said.
Senator Mavhunga said she learned valuable lessons from General Tongogara while receiving military training. “As a young woman in training, I learnt a lot from General Tongo,” she said. “He taught us politics even as we were on the battlefield, lessons that we still carry with us today.”
In 2012, a memorial site was established in Massinga, Mozambique, with support from the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Defence. The site includes a cenotaph, a symbolic grave and a memorial tree marking the area associated with his death. A health centre, built in partnership with the Government of Mozambique, is also part of the project.
Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Emmanuel Matatu said the Ministry of Defence had assumed responsibility for completing the Massinga project and would hand over the health centre to the local community in the first quarter of 2026. “General Tongo was a man of strong values and principles that we need to emulate,” he said. “Every year we remember him, we take lessons from the values he left behind.”
Nearly five decades after his death, General Josiah Magama Tongogara remains one of Zimbabwe’s most revered liberation figures, with his contribution to independence and national unity continuing to inspire generations.
Soure- ZBC
