By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
AT Makakavhule Heroes Acre, on Monday, the songs once used to inspire freedom fighters once again filled the air.
The occasion was the 46th Heroes Day commemorations in Beitbridge.
Leading the musical tribute was the legendary Light Machine Gun, known as LMG Choir.
For the veterans of the liberation struggle, the songs were more than entertainment.
They were a reminder of a difficult past and the sacrifices made to liberate Zimbabwe.
The LMG Choir was formed in 1978 in Zambia by Litshani Moyo, Mawuda Moyo and Give Nare (along with co-pioneers like Rose Madongo, Meteabo Sebata, and Tsepile
The name initially stood for the founders’ first names: Litshani, Mawuda, and Give, before coming to mean “Light Machine Gun”.
The late Vice President Joshua Nkomo supported the choir to boost the morale of ZIPRA freedom fighters during the Second Chimurenga.
Decades later, the original members are now growing old.
But the songs are not being allowed to die.
Happiness Sibanda, a Central Committee member in the War Veterans and Secretary for Mines, Mining and Development, says the choir is now grooming young people to carry its legacy.
“We are exhausted and we are growing old. So we have decided to groom some youths who are still energetic, who can take after us.”
The initiative has also reached Beitbridge, with young people from Bishopstone being trained by the veterans.
Sibanda says the decision to groom local youths is part of ensuring the liberation struggle’s musical heritage survives.
“I come from this area, I come from this region, Beitbridge. So I took children from Bishopstone to come and groom them,” she said
The LMG Choir continues to feature prominently at national events, including Heroes Day and Independence commemorations.
It is set to perform at the Heroes national gala
Banda says the choir’s role is rooted in the country’s liberation history.
The choir has also been involved in efforts to honour liberation war fighters who died outside Zimbabwe.
Sibanda said the group has previously been granted permission to travel to countries such as Mozambique and Zambia.
“Last time you saw the President giving us a bus that LMG must be given a bus to move around, even to Mozambique, even to Zambia, picking those bones for some of us who died in the war,” she said.
For the veterans, preserving the songs also means preserving the memories attached to them.
Sibanda said the choir’s role dates back to the country’s independence in 1980.
She recalls being part of the historic ceremony when the Union Jack was lowered as Zimbabwe attained independence.
Now, as another Heroes Day is commemorated, the same songs have found a new audience.
At Makakavhule Heroes Acre, the voices of the liberation struggle once again echoed across the gathering.
But this time, alongside the veterans, were young voices being prepared to carry the songs into the future.
The message from the LMG Choir is clear.
The veterans may be growing old.
But the songs of the liberation struggle must live on.