The Herald (Zimbabwe)

Freedom fighter’s son searches high and low for family

FASTON MANGEZI of Plot 6, Ridges Farm in Hurungwe, has been searching for his father’s family, a freedom fighter who died in combat and never lived to see both Zimbabwe and his son.

Now aged 45, and a family man, Faston was just a year old when Zimbabwe got its independen­ce and has been searching for his father’s grave and family, using orthodox and unorthodox means, again and again. He is still searching.

In the rough turf of life, he has left no stone unturned in search of his father; consulted the living and the dead, prophets, spirit mediums, traditiona­l healers and little everyone else, but without much success.

Other children of war veterans have benefited from many Government welfare programmes that include free education, land, funding etc, but he has not. He has no war veteran number, an identity number required in every war veterans’ transactio­n, hence he cannot benefit.

“If only my father had been here today. I have gone through a lot and he would have made a difference. Today I am using my mother’s surname.

“I need closure. I have been looking for this closure everywhere without success,” he says with the depth of agony in his eyes telling his story.

Born in 1979 in Gutu to Maria Mangezi, he was deprived of the chance to meet his biological father as Maria had met him at a night vigil. And, the freedom fighter was using a pseudonym, as was the norm.

But he died in combat a few days later. The exact location of his grave still remains unknown.

“I am only but a child and cannot confront my mother on such issues. The pain runs deep. I seek and yearn to know as to who he was and what his name is. I have not gotten that.

“My mother is alive and but does not want to hear the story anymore. She is equally traumatise­d. If only I could get his real name, then I could forge my path.

“As Africans we have roots. I have nothing against my maternal guardians. They raised me and gave me a home. However, there is that vacuum and old as I am I seek answers as to who I am, who my father was, what happened between him and my mother?” he narrates battling to hold back tears.

With the questions hovering like a dark cloud above Faston, he never got closure until 2005 when he decided to consult a spirit medium, Mbuya Chikede.

“Having started out on my own as I had come of age, I now had a place of my own. At 9pm every evening I would hear loud sounds emanating from the rooftop.

“I did not read much into it I thought it was normal. My child would wake up crying we just concluded it was witchcraft.

“Occurrence of these events was alarmingly persistent. I decided to consult and it was then I met a stranger who told me I was needed home.”

This left Faston in confusion, considerin­g he was moving with his family on that particular day and who would need him back home as the family was with him.

It was at a later stage that he began to understand the words of the stranger, so he sought permission from his maternal side to revisit what the stranger had told him.

“They did not accept this, they thought I was being rebellious. I pleaded with them for answers and clearly stated the bizarre events happening in my life.

“Unwillingl­y, though after considerat­ions, they let me off and offered to assist me. Though they took it with a pinch of salt,” he said.

Continuing with his quest, Faston was identified as belonging to the Matemai totem that is part of the Nzou (elephant clan) and at least that give him solace. Through spirit mediums he got to know that his father was a Benhura from Chikwaka, but the family gave him a foster father because many Benhuras went to war and never returned.

“We went to Goromonzi Centre and was directed to the Benhura homestead in Chikwaka, it was a stone’s throw away from the first house we inquired.

“When we arrived there we were welcomed by a spirit medium, who identified me as one of her own. She said she was my father’s sister but never told me his name.

“All she could say was unfortunat­ely the man who left with your father for war is late now. Had you been here earlier he would have told you everything. I am only but a medium,” he said as deep concern evidently showed on his face as he grapples with emotions of what would have been.

After the encounter Faston was referred to Chief Chikwaka who allegedly refused to help him, saying he was a child born out of wedlock, he hence could not accept him due to the repercussi­ons.

“I was entrusted to headman Musonza who advised me to do due diligence within my maternal family for having raised me. I did not object and did everything accordingl­y,” he recalls.

After completing the process, chapters in his life began to slightly open. A weight had been lifted off his shoulder, he now had a man he could call father despite not being biological­ly intertwine­d.

However, Musonza died in 2018 posing a challenge to Faston again who still needed answers.

“After retracing my roots I found myself in Hurungwe, where most of my paternal family is, but that vacuum remains despite having them around.”

In 2008 Faston recalls his father came to his dreams and asked him the desires of his heart to which he contemplat­ed before responding and father disappeare­d before hearing him out.

At times he hears his father’s voice. “My fellow comrades have returned home. For now, let me return with them in spirit,” he echoes the words of his father in the dream.

Four years later, he dreamt about his father who “returned” but this time with an entourage accompanyi­ng him.

It was in this dream he was given a piece of land and two distinct calabashes full of traditiona­l beer, translatin­g to his protection as the father knew his son would be fought for the blessings he had bestowed upon him.

It was from then his life started following a clear path, he recalls. Giving his findings through consultati­ons, Faston says his father, whose name is still unknown to date, or rather undisclose­d died of food poisoning.

“I suffered as a child. I could not turn to my mother for she had married. I did not want to trouble my stepfather either inasmuch as he was willing to help.

“If only he were alive, I would be telling a different story. I would be happy just to tell him my trials and tribulatio­ns.

“It would have brought me great joy to share my father’s legacy with my children. Had he been alive today,” he said echoing deep yearn.

Faston Mangezi’s story relates to many such children whose trials and tribulatio­ns give new dimensions of how the Government should look for another section of people in his situation.

Mangezi’s father was brave and paid the ultimate price of Zimbabwe’s liberation with his life. His, son, Faston, has not benefited anything. Fate!