(Last Updated on August 27, 2020 by Editor)
HARARE – Very few people have had so much impact in a short time for a cause of a better Zimbabwe than Dr Patson Dzamara. A man who was forcibly brought into the fight for change by sad circumstances.
Dr Patson Dzamara rose to prominence following the abduction and disappearance without trace of his brother Itai Dzamara.
I am humbled at the amount of people who have shared strength with me in the past few days. The outpouring of assistance and goodwill in many forms is heartening. Together we will testify. Thank you. Mega blessings.
— Patson Dzamara (@PatsonDzamara) August 22, 2020
Itai Dzamara was one of the most outspoken critics of Robert Mugabe before his disappearance. Over 5 years later, his loved ones are still waiting for answers.
Sheffra Dzamara has not seen her husband Itai Dzamara in more than five years. Her life changed irrevocably on the morning of 9 March 2015 when Mr Dzamara was abducted.
Now Patson Dzamara has passed on without ever seeing or hearing from his brother – in the last five years, no justice and no closure.
"Zimbabwe will never die, the young people will save it."
— Patson Dzamara (@PatsonDzamara) January 13, 2019
~ Joshua Nkomo
Dr Patson, a young brother to Itai, took a personal fight for his brother and broadened it further.
For him, it became more than a fight for justice for his brother but instead it grew to be a fight to ensure that no such injustice ever happened again to another Zimbabwean.
It became his personal fight to hold the government to account and to fight so that Zimbabweans will one day have the ability to question the government without suffering the same fate his brother and family endured.
Patson Dzamara had a stubborn belief that Zimbabwe will one day will be free and that the young will play a critical role in attaining that freedom
He vocally urged and inspired the young to participate in political spaces showing a firm belief in their power to transform the situation in the country.
My heart bleeds for Zimbabwe. How ZANU-PF treats us with disdain is unacceptable. I've not been able to raise my voice & take a stand as often as I should due to health challenges but I wish to encourage progressive Zimbabweans to continue the work. We will get to better Zimbabwe
— Patson Dzamara (@PatsonDzamara) August 2, 2020
Even when he was very sick and not feeling well, Patson made the time to always speak out against injustices and make his concerns about the state of affairs heard.
But most importantly, he always made sure he encouraged people to continue the good fight for a better Zimbabwe for all.
To him it was not a fight for personal glory, it was a fight for all. A fight which must be won even if it is not him taking the limelight at the forefront.
A free and better Zimbabwe was more important.
Spent last night moving from one medical facility to another for medical attention. Saw frail and hopeless people. Saw people in pain. Saw people crying after losing their loved ones. One person in the next room died. You are still alive and well? Be grateful and make it count.
— Patson Dzamara (@PatsonDzamara) July 30, 2020
The country and the people of Zimbabwe have lost a true and fierce fighter for freedom and justice.
Dzamara just like his brother Itai, has left a huge impact in the lives of many people.
Proof is the flooded social media space with messages celebrating his life by people from all walks of life.
His legacy deserves to live on and to continue the fight will be the greatest recognition of his sacrifices and contributions for a democratic Zimbabwe.