I knew Anca!

Nevanji Munyaradzi Chiondegwa

“I have received sad news that Cde Anca Zulu has passed on. She was a student leader and a party Cadre. It’s reported she died in Honde Valley.”

Three sentences posted by ZANU PF Acting Secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Tendai Chirau that left me numb.

All I could respond to the was; “NoMaZulu, NO!”

The only way to describe what I have been feeling since that Wednesday night is gutted. I go through the motions of life but I have not been living, I eat but the food tastes like ash. I go to bed and yet sleep eludes me.

I still am in the “NoMaZulu NO!” mode, it us what I called her. I keep thinking I shall wake to a text reading; “Good morning Shumba. You have not posted me in three days. Have I been replaced? Aaah post me Shumba!”

She took beautiful pictures of herself clad in the ZANU PF party regalia she used to great effect to market the Party she so loved. I was one of those blessed to always be given first dibs on the pictures to post. She was not camera shy. She told me one day that; “The churches use pretty faces as ushers to attract followers, why can’t the Party do the same?”

Cde Anca was one of those rare breed of cadres who epitomised intelligence, beauty, charm and a beautiful sense of humour.

Known by her fellow comrades as Cde White, a name the late National Hero, Lt Gen( Rtd) Dr SB Moyo had bestowed upon her was a second year law student at the Midlands State University. She rose to prominence in the run up to the 2018 Harmonised General Elections for her indefatigable energy, revolutionary zeal and snappy dressing. She and her fellow ZICOSU Queens introdeced a new trendy of being fashionably dressed wat all Presidential Star Rallies across the nation.

She was among the very active and very visible breed of new techno-savvy brigade among the ZANU PF Youth League termed Varakashi for their cyber media prowess. She held her own in any field of discussion.

Cde Anca was a student leader, an advocate for the girl child, a brand ambassador for the YL fashion shop, House of Cheneso and a former Child Parliamentarian. She was one loyal and industrious leader.

“Death has robbed us of yet another promising flower🌼, a dedicated cadre loyal to the revolution. You represented us in various international platforms Cde White & you knew the rules of the game. You fought a good fight & you kept the faith in the struggle to your last RIP Anca, ” tweeted ZICOSU President Pijiwest Nhamburo.

Cde Tungamirai Mukondo, a fellow law student at Midlands State University and ZICOSU Midlands Chapter Chairman said of Cde Anca, “Cde Anca was a devoted cadre whom I knew since 2018 when we both joined the law school and Zicosu. Anca was a comforting cde and stood for what she believed in. She was devoted to her work and stood for the rights of young women. To me she was more than a friend she was a sister and a mentor as she was senior politically to me. I drew a lot of lessons from her. What I will miss most about her is her smile and laughter. Each time we went to class or attended any Zicosu meeting we always joked about being cabinet ministers. I don’t know what I will do without her. The Union is never going to be the same without her.”

As news of her death permeated cyberspace, as people came to terms with her untimely death, friends and colleagues eulogised her.

Charles Munganasa, her team leader at her last International engagement said, “She was part of our PYPA 2020 team, I am broken.”

Deputy Minister of National Housing and also National Youth League Secretary for Information and Publicity, Cde Yeukai Simbanegavi said, “Haa Anca arwadza. Such a loss to the Youth League. She was cute, brainy and humble.”

Cde Chirau whose pain could be felt even as he wrote stated, “We will attend this funeral and give all support we can.”

“Jesus Christ Son of God. I am devasted by the passing of Cde Anca. Yoneni ingane engaka bafowethu? I am in shock. May Her Dear Soul Rest in Eternal Peace ,” wept Hoseah Mviringi, a prolific writer who had worked with the late Cde Anca.

Munganasa, an artist quipped, “We need Justice for Anca. Who ever was behind her suffering and death should pay for what they did. She died a prisoner of thought!”

Priscilla Mangwana, wife to Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana said, “May Anca’s soul rest in peace. If she was suffering to that level and we did not help her as much as we should have done. Shame on all of us as Cdes. Shame on all that could have helped
Shame on us as a party
We can imagine the pain she must have been going through. 😩At least she also had people she could share her emotions with. Taken at a tender age. She was beautiful”

The writer, a close friend of the deceased and had worked closely with her over the years said; “Goodbye Anca Zim1. I can’t even say I must pause till I get back my heart from the measure of earth which has shrunk to be the length and breadth you will bestride. You lived, breathed and spoke Revolutionary. You heart was the Party, your soul, the People, their empowerment and emancipation. Even in your despair and darkest moments, you always were optimistic, always told me to stay positive and hopeful. You understood even the dark humour that I surround myself with when I am at my saddest. I am sorry and goodbye NoMaZulu. This is the saddest goodbye I shall ever have to offer to anyone.”

As the days passed by and people spoke, what finally came to mind were the words of Sir Elton John’s dedication to Holywood legend Marylin Monroe in A Candle in the Wind

“And it seems to me you lived your life, Like a candle in the wind, Never knowing who to cling to, When the rain set in, And I would’ve liked to know you. But I was just a kid, Your candle burned out long before. Your legend ever did, Loneliness was tough, The toughest role you ever played”

Goodbye NomaZulu, no one will call me Shumba like you did.

I knew Anca!

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