The ManicaPost
Post Reporter
THE death of Retired-Major General Gideon Taurayi Rodello Lifa on June 26 2007 robbed the nation of a dedicated cadre, a commander and revolutionary.Rtd Maj-Gen Lifa was born in Harare on March 26 1958 and did his primary education at Rowa Primary School in Mutare from 1964. He attended Elise Gledhill Secondary School in Mutare between 1972 and 1975.
Maj-Gen Lifa joined the liberation struggle in Mozambique in 1975 after being disenchanted with the racism and brutality of the Smith regime. His Chimurenga name was Rodello Tichavakunda.
While in Mozambique, he stayed at Zhunda, Nyadzonia and Doroi camps. He was one of the survivors of the Nyadzonia attack in August 1976.
In the same year, he was among the first group of cadres that were sent to Tanzania for basic military training.
On completion of the basic training, and in recognition of the outstanding performance during training, he was appointed an instructor.
He trained the Fanya-Haraka intake of combatants before he was nominated to attend a regular officer cadet course at Nachingweya Institute in 1978.
The rigorous course prepared him for command and leadership tasks in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces that was to be formed at Independence in 1980.
After graduating as an officer at Nachingweya, he was posted back to Mozambique where he joined other combatants at Mavhonde Forward Operational Base.
While in Mozambique, he was promoted and appointed a member of the General Staff in 1979. He was immediately posted to Maputo where he worked with the commander of the Zanla forces, the late Cde Josiah Magama Tongogara.
When General Tongogara passed away, Maj-Gen Lifa was appointed the funeral parade commander, a task which he competently executed to the admiration of those who witnessed the parade including Mozambican authorities.
After the Lancaster House Agreement of 1979, he was part of the late Vice-President Muzenda’s entourage to Harare.
The entourage comprised Zanu-PF political leaders and cadres who were the leading elements who moved in to test the sincerity of the Lancaster House Agreement.
Maj-Gen Lifa’s appointment to such an entourage underscored the undeniable fact that he was bold, disciplined and a dedicated cadre to the cause of the revolution.
He was later appointed aide-de-camp to the then Prime Minister Cde Robert Mugabe in 1980, a position he held up to the time he was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army on February 1 1981 as a private.
Cognisant of his officer training and the tried and tested leadership skills, he was commissioned lieutenant in August 1981.
Due to his diligence and exemplary leadership, he rose through the ranks to retire in 2005 due to ill health with the rank of Major-General.
During his service in the army, the gallant officer served the nation in various command and administration capacities, notably:
Commanding Officer 2.5 Infantry Battalion (1981)
Commanding Officer 2.2 Infantry Battalion in 1982.
Senior Staff Officer Grade One at Army Headquarters (1982-1985) where he was responsible for organisational design, including coming up with standard army personnel establishments and equipment.
Directing Staff (DS) at the Zimbabwe Staff College (1987). A number of officers passed through his hands during the training of the first series of the command and staff courses. Even though he was relatively young compared to his British counterparts, he was indeed equal to the task.
Commander 2 Brigade (1990-1992 and 1994-1996) he diligently exercised command and control of the Brigade as commander, particularly during the Mozambique campaign and border control operations.
Brigadier-General, General Staff at Army Headquarters (1992-1994) he was responsible for operations, staff duties and research and development for the whole army.
Director Army Training (1992-2002). The officer was instrumental in co-ordinating the famed Exercise Blue Hungwe among other joint regional training programmes.
The late Maj-Gen successfully attended and completed various career and professional courses to enhance his command and administrative skills.
