President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa says covenant bonds demand absolute respect as the ultimate commitment. He told the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) about his liberation war blood pact with the late Cde Stephen Zvinavashe, describing it as a lifelong duty he faithfully kept.
The agreement wasn't just symbolic but a binding deal that molded his sense of duty, loyalty, and responsibility long after fighting ended. Made during intense armed struggle, the pact required him and Cde Zvinavashe to care for each other's families if one died in combat, and he honored that promise without cutting corners. Cde Zvinavashe was the older brother of the late national hero and former Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Vitalis Musungwa Gava Zvinavashe.
The president explained they acknowledged death was likely during the struggle, but if one or both survived, whoever made it through would care for the other's siblings. They cut their hands, and he sucked Cde Zvinavashe's blood while Cde Zvinavashe sucked his. He kept the faith and looked after General Zvinavashe as a result.
His commitment went beyond talk. He later purchased a farm and divided it with Cde Zvinavashe's family to fulfill the pledge. Blood covenants across cultures historically symbolize binding unity and loyalty, sealed through shared blood to represent permanence and shared destiny.
During the interview, President Mnangagwa also discussed his regional diplomacy role during Mozambique's civil war when Renamo fought the Frelimo Government. He served as Zimbabwe's chief emissary between the late former President Robert Mugabe and Mozambique's former President Samora Machel, working with Fernando Honwana, who represented Mozambique. The two of them were the principal negotiators.
He participated in the Rome General Peace Accords that ended the Mozambican civil war, handling preparatory negotiations held in Rome under the Sant'Egidio mediation process. He and Honwana brought the parties to the table and prepared the groundwork before the principals arrived.
The late former President Mugabe also entrusted him to handle defense-related negotiations during the Democratic Republic of Congo conflict despite not being the Minister of Defence. Mahachi held that position, but Mugabe kept sending him instead. He dealt with defense issues throughout the conflict as Minister of Security.
The agreement wasn't just symbolic but a binding deal that molded his sense of duty, loyalty, and responsibility long after fighting ended. Made during intense armed struggle, the pact required him and Cde Zvinavashe to care for each other's families if one died in combat, and he honored that promise without cutting corners. Cde Zvinavashe was the older brother of the late national hero and former Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Vitalis Musungwa Gava Zvinavashe.
The president explained they acknowledged death was likely during the struggle, but if one or both survived, whoever made it through would care for the other's siblings. They cut their hands, and he sucked Cde Zvinavashe's blood while Cde Zvinavashe sucked his. He kept the faith and looked after General Zvinavashe as a result.
His commitment went beyond talk. He later purchased a farm and divided it with Cde Zvinavashe's family to fulfill the pledge. Blood covenants across cultures historically symbolize binding unity and loyalty, sealed through shared blood to represent permanence and shared destiny.
During the interview, President Mnangagwa also discussed his regional diplomacy role during Mozambique's civil war when Renamo fought the Frelimo Government. He served as Zimbabwe's chief emissary between the late former President Robert Mugabe and Mozambique's former President Samora Machel, working with Fernando Honwana, who represented Mozambique. The two of them were the principal negotiators.
He participated in the Rome General Peace Accords that ended the Mozambican civil war, handling preparatory negotiations held in Rome under the Sant'Egidio mediation process. He and Honwana brought the parties to the table and prepared the groundwork before the principals arrived.
The late former President Mugabe also entrusted him to handle defense-related negotiations during the Democratic Republic of Congo conflict despite not being the Minister of Defence. Mahachi held that position, but Mugabe kept sending him instead. He dealt with defense issues throughout the conflict as Minister of Security.
