President Mnangagwa to grace Elias Machemedze’s book launch

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By Chimeno Azriel

His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to be the Guest of Honour at the launch of yet another new book by one prolific writer Elias Machemedze.

Machemedze is set to launch another book entitled Herbert Chitepo this Friday.

Machemedze who unveiled his Shona novel Moyo Inzenza last month has done it again by releasing a novel that speaks about the life and legacy of one of Zimbabwe’s first black Advocates and Patriotic Freedom Fighters, Herbert Chitepo.

“The book is all about the life of the first black Advocate here in Zimbabwe and who also happened to be a freedom fighter,” said Machemedze.

An adorned writer, Machemedze used to be known as a fiction writer basing on his previous novels but this time he has set his focus on the life history of the gallant son of the soil who fought for the legal rights of the people of Zimbabwe.

“I am a fiction writer but I have chosen to write about the life history of one of the black icons of liberation so that people will know his life as an Advocate and a Freedom Fighter,” said Machemedze. ” I was inspired by his rise to the occasion and how he humbled himself by leaving his well-paid job to join the liberation struggle. That made me research and write about his life,” continued the writer.

The unique writer, Machemedze is set to uncloak his well-researched and polished book at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe on Friday 7 May 2021. His Excellency The President of The Second Republic of Zimbabwe Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to grace the occasion.

“I am thrilled to have this book launched and our President of Zimbabwe will be the Guest of Honour.” said the overwhelmed and talented author.

The book was edited by Professor Ruby Magosvongwe, Eric Mavengere, Molly Nyagura, and Trymore Misi and Published by Macheli Press. It narrates the history of Herbert Chitepo from childhood life and how he lived as a normal person, his working history at St. Augustine’s Mission before he enrolled at the University of London for his LLB studies and as well before taking part in the liberation struggle in which he legally represented the prisoners.

Herbert was the first black Advocate. In 1954 he was working for the then Rhodesian High Court. Whilst as an Advocate, he became one of the leaders of ZANU alongside former President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe and others who were in detention and that is when the struggle was at its highest peak.

The book was well researched and it seeks to bring out the life of a leader and pioneer of people’s lives as he represented their rights from the oppression of the white leadership.

Also expected to be present at the book launch are Cabinet Ministers, Diplomats, members of the Judiciary Service Commission including Retired Judge Simbi Mubako, Vice-Chancellors of Universities, Lawyers, Advocates, and Church Leaders among other dignitaries.