By Jeffryson Chitando

On May 2 every year, the MDC family and Zimbabwean workers in general remember a man who dedicated his life to their emancipation and democratic change in Zimbabwe.

This is the day when Zimbabwe lost one of the most charismatic leaders in the history of this country- Isaac Matongo.

Isaac Matongo was known in the trade union circles for his fearlessness.

In 1999 when the MDC was formed that’s when he emerged as a gifted strategist in organising and building the opposition party’s structures to challenge Zanu PF hegemony.

The heavily built Isaac Matongo was tasked to craft strategies of building structures for the MDC and he excelled.

In less than five months, the MDC shocked Zanu PF In Parliamentary elections in March 2000.

Isaac Matongo was the first MDC National Chairman.

Matongo was known for his song “Mukandituma handirambe ndinomanya sekacheche …!”

President Tsvangirai had a loyal soldier whom he banked on for pushing party activities.

The growth of the MDC cannot be chronicled without mentioning Matongo.

The current MDC Alliance President Advocate Nelson Chamisa was the National Youth Chairman at that time.

He was a chairman par excellence, a true democrat, a father and founder of the struggle for democratic change in Zimbabwe.

We will only rest when we have accomplished his hopes of attaining real change.