Learnmore Judah Jongwe (ZINASU President 1997)
The year 1997 saw the formalisation of the national students’ mother body to be named the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) and assuming the motto ‘Struggle is our Birthright.’
In March that year the union held its inaugural National Conference at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), with the varsity Student Representative Council President the late Cde Learnmore Judah Jongwe becoming the first National President of the formalised ZINASU.
The conference ran from the 28th of February to the 2nd of March 1997. Other comrades who were elected into that executive included Cde Daniel Molokela (UZ) Deputy President, Secretary General Cde Charlton Hwende (Harare Polytechnic) Secretary General, Cde Job Sikhala (UZ) Information Secretary, Promise Sande Treasurer and Blessing Zulu.
The then 23 year old lad and 3rd year law student at the UZ was to lead the national students union for the next two year. Born on the 28TH of April 1974 in Samambwa village in Zhombe, Learnmore did his Advanced Levels at Lower Gwelo Mission from 1993-94 before enrolling at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) in 1995. He was elected the UZ Student Representative Council (SRC) President in 1996.
As UZ SRC President, he led numerous demonstrations at the institution and was later suspended together with his vice president, classmate and friend Daniel Molokela in July 1996. The students were reinstated after a few weeks.
From 1997, he served the students union with passion and commitment, such that ZINASU became a force to reckon within the country’s political landscape. During the 1998 food riots, Jongwe led countywide students’ protests against the rising cost of living in the country.
He was succeeded by Cde Hopewell ‘Msavaya’ Gumbo as ZINASU President at the 2nd ZINASU Bi-Annual Congress at the University of Zimbabwe in 1999. After serving as president of the union Jongwe was later appointed ZINASU Board Secretary, a position he held until 2001.
As ZINASU President, Cde Jongwe played a critical role in the formation of an alternative political force, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Learnmore became the first National Chairperson of the MDC Youth Assembly and later became the party’s spokesperson.
Because of his attributes that include bravery, charisma, eloquence, and brilliance Jongwe remains one of the most inspirational student leaders ever to emerge from this land. Sadly Jongwe was assassinated by state security agents on the 22nd of October 2007 in a prison cell at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.
At the time of his death he was serving as the Member of Parliament Kuwadzana constituency and Spokesperson for the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
We salute his revolutionary and unwavering commitment and contribution to the students’ movement and the nation at large. The National Executive Council meeting of the 22nd of November 2009 resolved to present to congress a proposal to honour Cde Jongwe as the Honorary Life President of ZINASU.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Compiled by Blessing Vava (ZINASU National Spokesperson)
