Source: Air Commodore Bere declared national hero – herald
Joseph Madzimure
Zimpapers Politics Hub
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has conferred national hero status on Air Commodore (Retired) Simon Bere who died in Zambia, where he was receiving medical treatment, on April 24.
He was 67.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, was sent by the President to deliver the message of national hero status conferment to the Bere family home in Bluffhill, Harare, last night.
He was accompanied by Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Emmanuel Matatu and Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe Air Marshal Jacob John Nzvede.
“I was sent by President Mnangagwa to deliver the message that the deceased has been conferred national hero status,” he said.
A funeral parade was held on Tuesday this week at Manyame Air Base in Harare in honour of his contribution to the ZDF and national development. A funeral parade is the highest honour accorded to deceased military personnel.
Born on September 19, 1959, in Hurungwe, Air Commodore (Rtd) pursued his early education at Chiroti and Matau primary schools before attending Ascot for his secondary education.
Driven by the call to liberate his country, he joined the armed struggle.
Air Marshal Nzvede has described Air Commodore Bere as a loyal cadre who stood for the development of the nation.
“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces and indeed the nation have lost a loyal and patriotic air officer, who dedicated his life to serving Zimbabwe,” he said.
“He has run his race well and has now passed the baton to those surviving to finish the race. It is therefore incumbent on us to ensure that his good deeds and hard work were not all in vain.”
Air Commodore Bere is among some of the founding members of the AFZ at independence.
Air Commodore Bere was among the brave young cadres who made the great sacrifice to join the liberation struggle.
At the age of 19, in 1978, he crossed the border into Mozambique to join the liberation struggle as a ZANLA combatant.
He was immediately selected to undergo training at Samacuesa Base.
On completion of training, he served in the Education Department at the rear, holding the position of detachment Political Commissar.
He joined the AFZ in 1981 as an Air craftsman and completed the Basic Military training at Field Air Force Base, now Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo.
He was commissioned as an officer in 93.
Thereafter, Air Commodore Bere proceeded to attain special skills in munitions and explosives after completing an Explosive Ordinance Disposal course.
Armed with these skills, the AFZ was able to tap into his expertise to successfully conduct military operations in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Air Commodore Bere completed all staff and command courses commensurate with his rank and held various command and staff appointments throughout his career in the AFZ.
In 2016, he was seconded to the Ministry of War Veterans as deputy director of War Veterans Affairs, before he was elevated to director in 2020.
In recognition of his distinguished service, he was awarded five medals.
Throughout his military career, Air Commodore Bere played a pivotal role in shaping the professionalism and operational strength of the AFZ.
Air Commodore Bere became known for his discipline, patriotism and unwavering loyalty to the nation, qualities that earned him respect within the military and beyond.
He leaves behind his wife Ms Regina Bere and three children.
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