As Zimbabwe marks Independence Day next weekend, performing poet Tawanda Gabriel Tanyanyiwa is commemorating the occasion in a deeply personal way — through a moving poetic tribute dedicated to his uncle, Jacob Kaswa, who left for the liberation war and never returned.
Tanyanyiwa’s piece, titled Homage, pays homage not only to his uncle, but to countless liberation fighters whose fates remain unknown.
“We are not sure if he is still alive. But all we know is that he never came back home after independence,” said the poet, whose memories of his uncle are drawn from stories passed down through family.
Kaswa is believed to have left home as a teenager to join the armed struggle against colonial rule, driven by a desire to confront social injustices of the time.
“When things became unbearable, they took up arms and joined the liberation struggle, sacrificing their lives so that we could be free,” Tanyanyiwa said.
“May his soul rest in peace, wherever his bones may be scattered.”
Historical accounts indicate that some liberation fighters who died during the war were buried in mass graves in countries such as Zambia and Mozambique—leaving many families without closure.
Through Homeage, Tanyanyiwa seeks to reconnect with his uncle’s memory while honouring all those who participated in the struggle.
“Somewhere along these lines, I am remembering and speaking to him,” he said.
“I am paying homage not only to Cde Jacob Kaswa, but to everyone who went to war—whether dead or alive.”
He added that while the poem evokes memory and emotion, its broader purpose is to inspire courage and gratitude during Independence celebrations.
“I grew up knowing I had a hero uncle who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. The least I can do is honour him, even with the little we know,” he said.
Beyond poetry, Tanyanyiwa hopes to one day tell his uncle’s full story through film.
“God willing, I would like to develop a documentary so the world can know his story. I believe he deserves that recognition,” he said.
Born on March 8, 1991, Tanyanyiwa trained in Theatre Studies under renowned arts mentor Cont Mhlanga at Amakhosi Arts Centre in Bulawayo.
He is also an accomplished creative writer, having published Life (2016), Take Me Back (2016), and Ancient Wisdom (2016).
In film, his most recent project is Blacksmith (2022), a 30-minute documentary produced with the support of the late Mhlanga, a respected figure in Zimbabwe’s arts industry.
As the nation reflects on its independence, Tanyanyiwa’s tribute stands as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made — and the stories still waiting to be told.