The opposition movement in Masvingo and beyond has been plunged into mourning following the death of seasoned activist Archieford Mtizwa Mudzengi, who passed away on Sunday after a short illness.
Archieford Mtizwa Mudzengi…
Mudzengi, a former Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist, was remembered as a committed cadre who dedicated much of his life to student and national politics, often at great personal cost.
In a heartfelt tribute, former MDC and CCC youth activist Patrick Danga reflected on their shared journey in the struggle, dating back to their days in student activism.
“So … we were young in the struggle… we only had each other to depend on… pushing from the Students Union ZINASU back then we became family,” said Danga. “We would always check on each other. I was at MSU with Masaraure Obert, Sally Nobuhle Mlambo, but we knew in Bulawayo we had cdes who would do anything to keep the struggle going and that’s Archieford Mtizwa Mudzengi.”
Danga also recalled a tight-knit group of activists who stood together during difficult times, naming the late Vivid Gwede alongside Patrick Danga himself, Mlungisi Dube Lungi, Samson Zwide Nxumalo and Munyaradzi Taruva.
“Renowned politicians like Momz Skoko 7 and Thabita Khumalo knew what we believed in and moulded us to keep pushing,” he said.
According to Danga, Mudzengi’s activism followed him into tertiary education, where he paid a heavy price for his political convictions.
“We graduated and pushed to national politics… from MDC under the late President Morgan Richard Tsvangirai,” he said. “We would sing ‘Sadam waenda sare Bhobhooo’ so loud that we believed change was so close.Danga revealed that Mudzengi was suspended from the Zimbabwe School of Mines with only one exam left to complete his studies, a move he says was directly linked to his activism.
“They suspended him from Zim School of Mines with only one exam left because of activism, and he had to return after some years to Bulawayo to complete his Mining Programme,” he said.
Despite political shifts within the opposition, Danga said Mudzengi remained consistent and unwavering.
“From MDC like many of us Papa moved to MDC Alliance then CCC to a point where most cdes of our generation ran for public office,” he said. “Archie was still pushing and motivating people to push.”
He added that while others pursued political office, Mudzengi focused on building himself professionally in the mining sector, without abandoning the cause.
“Iye mbune, Papa Archie was pushing in the mining field, that’s what he studied at Zimbabwe School of Mines. The struggle had to continue,” said Danga.
In recent times, Mudzengi would often speak longingly about Masvingo, his home province.
“Of late he would say ‘Mwanawamai Dzimbagwe (Masvingo) unouya riinhi’,” Danga recalled.
His tribute ended with an emotional farewell, capturing the deep personal loss felt by those who knew him.
“Hapachina kuuya apa Papa Archie… Kuuya makotsira,” he said. “Kambaaaaa my guy… my brother, Papa Ponyo Ponyooo Mwanawamai. Rest easy. Till we meet again.”
Mudzengi’s death marks the loss of a generation of activists who came of age in Zimbabwe’s student and opposition politics, remembered for their resilience, sacrifice and enduring belief in change.
