daniel chigunwe
Fungai Lupande and Columbus Mabika
A FULL military parade was held yesterday for National Hero Major-General (Retired) Solomon Siziba at Lookout Masuku Barracks in Bulawayo, while another National Hero, Cde Chenhamo “Chen” Chakezha Chimutengwende’s body was taken to his Chiweshe rural home.
Commander Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda, was the chief mourner at the funeral parade.
Maj-Gen Siziba died last Wednesday at Josiah Magama Tongogara Camp Hospital in Harare after a long battle with cancer.
He was 67.
General Sibanda described Maj-Gen Siziba as a “true revolutionary cadre, an emblem of the liberation struggle, a man of integrity and a distinguished diplomat”.
“The late General’s career spans from the liberation struggle when he gave up his youth to fight for the emancipation of our people and the freedom we enjoy today.
“As the impetus of the war of liberation gathered momentum and penetrated through all corners of the country, the late Major-General, together with his fellow youths in his area were pained by the oppression and ill-treatment of fellow Zimbabweans at the hands of the Rhodesians,” he said.
General Sibanda added that entire Zimbabwe Defence Forces was struggling to cope with the death of Maj-Gen Siziba.
“This is a very painful and sad moment as we struggle to come to terms with what has befallen the Siziba family, Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the nation at large,” he said.
“As I stand before you, I am filled with a profound sense of loss, but also with a deep appreciation for the time we were privileged to share with the Major-General (Rtd),” he said.
In Chiweshe, scores of people in Mashonaland Central converged at Cde Chimutengwende’s homestead to celebrate his life.
Cde Chimutengwende died last Thursday after a long battle with chronic kidney disease.
He was 81.
His body was received at Majome Primary School in Chiweshe by Zanu PF officials and supporters, family members and friends.
Cde Chimutengwende was praised for pioneering many developmental projects in Chiweshe and Mazowe, including the construction of schools, the Glendale-Chiweshe Road, and spearheading the rural electrification drive in his area during his 28 years as a Member of Parliament for Mazowe.
Speakers described Cde Chimutengwende as a unifier and advisor, who mentored many political figures in Mashonaland Central province.
Mazowe Central MP Maxmore Njanji said he inherited a constituency that was well-developed by Cde Chimutengwende.
“The good work done by Cde Chimutengwende is a testament to the life he lived.
“He constructed schools and roads and brought electricity to Mazowe Central,” he said.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister and Zanu PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairperson, Cde Kazembe Kazembe, said Cde Chimutengwende was well-loved in Mazowe, adding that at one time, party members urged him to become their Senator, despite his desire to take a break.
“He was the longest-serving Member of Parliament in Mazowe because he was deeply cherished by the people. He was a peace-loving individual, a unifier, and a vibrant personality,” he said.
“He was an advisor and counsellor during the time of intra-party conflicts. I was hesitant to become a political commissar during that time, but due to his wise counsel, I accepted.”
Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Christopher Magomo, who was the chief mourner, called on the province to celebrate a life well-lived.
He also implored people from the province to come out in large numbers to pay their last respects to this gallant son of the soil.
“God has called him home; although it is painful, let us celebrate the time we spent with him. He was loyal until the end,” he said.
“The President was not hesitant to confer him with national hero status. He was an advisor who treated everyone with respect. We are all on a journey; only our bus stops differ.”
Zanu PF national Political Commissar Cde Munyaradzi Machacha conveyed his condolences to the Nyangoni family, adding the ruling party feels the weight of the loss since Cde Chimutengwende tirelessly supported the party.
“He loved people, and we worked together while he was the Minister of Broadcasting and I was a journalist,” he said.
“He was a jovial man who made everyone feel welcome. He was a Pan-Africanist par excellence.
“He mentored and guided me. We have been robbed as Mazowe and Mashonaland Central.”
Politburo member Cde Kenneth Musanhi said Cde Chimutengwende never missed an opportunity to bring joy to every moment.
“He was amazing. When I last saw him at the National (Sports) Stadium, he humorously recounted his political career using his name.
“I thank the party and the President for their prompt response in granting him national hero status. We are mourning, but we need to celebrate the time we spent with him.
“We fasted and prayed for his recovery, but God called him home. He was your son, but he belonged to the whole nation,” said Cde Musanhi.
Family spokesperson, Mr Munyaradzi Nyangoni, expressed gratitude to the President and the party for according their relative national hero status.
“We feel comforted from the time of his illness until his demise. He prioritised the party and spoke fondly of Zanu PF during family times,” he said.
Mrs Rita Majome described the late hero as a humble man who interacted with everyone in the village.
“We were neighbours in the village, and he contributed immensely to its development. Every time he visited, he would invite everyone to spend time with him,” she said.
Mourners shared light-hearted moments as they recalled how vibrant Cde Chimutengwende was and how much he loved to dance to rhumba music.
His body lay in state at Majome Village last night and a church service is lined up today, before the body is taken back to Harare, and lie in state at Charles Gumbo Barracks ahead of a potential triple burial at the National Heroes Acres, alongside Maj-Gen Siziba and Ambassador John Mvundura who was declared yesterday evening.
