Communications expert, journalist and development practitioner Takemore Mazuruse has been appointed Harare Provincial Chairman and National Spokesman of the Friends of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle (FOVLS), an affiliate of the ruling ZANU-PF that commenced operations in 2022.
FOVLS is registered as a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) and is mandated to safeguard and promote the memory of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle by preserving the resting places of liberation heroes and educating communities on the country’s liberation history.
Working in collaboration with the Ministry of War Veterans Affairs, the Zimbabwe National War Veterans League, ZANU-PF structures, the National Museums and Monuments, as well as other partners and progressive citizens, the organisation has embarked on a nationwide programme to rehabilitate liberation war graves.
To date, FOVLS has successfully conducted clean-up campaigns and rehabilitated 52 graves that had fallen into a state of disrepair at the Harare Provincial Heroes Acre. The organisation is now preparing to restore more than 400 additional graves at the shrine, with plans to incorporate landscaping improvements before extending the programme to provincial heroes’ acres across the country.
Mazuruse, a multi-award-winning communications practitioner, brings nearly two decades of experience in journalism, corporate communications and strategic public relations to the organisation. He began his media career in 2006 as a junior reporter with The Voice newspaper at the ZANU-PF headquarters before building an extensive career working with local and international organisations.
Throughout his career, he has specialized in advocacy and lobbying, media relations, fundraising communications, public relations and strategic narrative development. He has led communications campaigns for organisations across the banking, manufacturing, retail and non-governmental sectors, as well as several blue-chip companies.
His appointment comes as FOVLS continues to expand its profile and partnerships. During his involvement with the organisation, FOVLS has increased its public visibility and secured support from corporate partners including Geo Pomona Pvt Ltd, Fumati Engineers, Mountings Pvt Ltd, Mountings Investments Pvt Ltd and Victory Chasers.
The organisation says the rehabilitation of liberation war graves forms part of broader efforts to preserve Zimbabwe’s liberation heritage while ensuring future generations remain informed about the country’s struggle for independence and the sacrifices made by liberation fighters.
