Nyore Madzianike, Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has urged Zimbabweans to put shoulder on the wheel and actively contribute towards national development while reminding the country that “extraordinary milestones” will be achieved in the next five years through honest, hard work.
The President made the remarks while addressing mourners at the burial of Brigadier-General (Rtd) Mark Charles Chimwaza at the National Heroes Acre yesterday.
Brig-Gen Chimwaza succumbed to lung cancer at his Kuwadzana home in Harare on 3 December. He was 68.
In his address, President Mnangagwa said the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the country’s blueprint that will guide economic development in the next five years, demands unity of purpose and hard work.
He said the spirit of collective sacrifice that defined the liberation struggle must now be harnessed towards economic and social transformation.
“Similarly, today, under the National Development Strategy 2, our country enters a critical stretch towards the realisation of Vision 2030,” said President Mnangagwa.
“All of us, the present generation, sons and daughters of Zimbabwe, must play our part to achieve an upper-middle-income economy — a developed, modern, industrialised and prosperous society. Every community contributed to our independence.
“Let us now, community by community, ward by ward and district by district, sector by sector and enterprise by enterprise, contribute to the Zimbabwe we all want.”
Unity and cohesion, President Mnangagwa said, are critical for the success of national development programmes.
He also urged the country to safeguard peace, unity and harmony, while warning against actions that could derail national progress.
President Mnangagwa said as the year comes to an end, Zimbabweans must always remember and honour the sacrifices of the many departed and living heroes of the country.
“The duty is now on us to continue building on existing foundations by defending and advancing our shared national development aspirations,” he said.
“Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo. (A country is built, governed and prayed for by its own people).
“It is commendable that sustained national cohesion and unity of purpose have seen us achieve successes and improve the quality of life of our people under the National Development Strategy 1,” said the President.
“Under the whole-of-Government-and-society approach, through unity and hard, honest work, the National Development Strategy 2 will also accomplish extraordinary milestones.”
Youths, he added, should acquaint themselves with the sacrifices that were made for Zimbabwe to be free. He described the Chimoio attack, which Brig-Gen (Rtd) Chimwaza survived, as “inspiring landmarks of our unyielding courage, resilience and fortitude as the sons and daughters of Zimbabwe”.
“That tragic and brutal bombing never deterred or derailed our liberation fighters. The sad chapter of the Chimoio attack, among other occurrences during the liberation struggle, remain inspiring landmarks of our unyielding courage, resilience and fortitude as the sons and daughters of Zimbabwe. I urge more of our people, especially the youth across all levels, to deliberately visit the various historic liberation war shrines. This will provide insights into what the young people of yesteryear endured to bring about the freedom, sovereignty and independence, which we must never take for granted.”
As the nation gears up for the festive season, with Unity Day being commemorated tomorrow and Christmas on Thursday, President Mnangagwa directed the security sector to remain on high alert, saying the nation looks upon them to maintain peace.
He also called on communities to protect the unity and harmony that is prevailing across the country, while also remembering the less privileged.
“The festive season is upon us; we are reminded of the love of Almighty God who gave us the gift of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. With that ‘God kind of love’, I challenge us to show love towards one another, within our families, communities and across the nation as a whole,” he said.
“In our celebrations, may we also remember those among us who have less, especially widows, the elderly, vulnerable and orphans. Let us always share; that is who we are as Zimbabweans and Africans. I (also) direct those in the security sector to remain on high alert and vigilant. Yours are duties that have no holiday or rest.”
The nation was also urged to celebrate the festive season with discipline and restraint, shunning drug and substance abuse.
“We must be disciplined at all times, loyal, patriotic and committed to our motherland, Zimbabwe. These are the lessons and inspiration we draw from the dearly departed national hero, along with many other heroes and heroines who waged the protracted liberation struggle, as well as those who diligently served our motherland in the post-independence years,” he said.
In his eulogy, President Mnangagwa described the late national hero as a selfless patriot whose service to Zimbabwe will forever be remembered.
“On behalf of our revolutionary party Zanu-PF, Government and the people of Zimbabwe, and indeed on my behalf, I express my deepest heartfelt condolences to Amai Chimwaza and family over the passing on of the late Brigadier-General (Rtd) Mark Charles Chimwaza, ‘Comrade Paddington Chafachaora’,” he said.
“Your loss is shared by the whole nation. May you continue to find solace and comfort from the knowledge that our dearly departed General Officer served our motherland, Zimbabwe, with patriotism and loyalty as a veteran of the liberation struggle and distinguished career soldier.
“Alongside others, he sacrificed towards the freedom, independence, peace and unity our country is enjoying.
“Accordingly, we lay him to rest here, at this sacred national shrine, besides luminaries, heroes and heroines of our great country.
“This is our way of expressing national gratitude for his sacrifice, unwavering consistency and persistence in service to our country. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Chimwaza was born on 4 October 1957, in Mutare district, Manicaland province, under Chief Marange and Headman Kurauone.
He left school and crossed the border into Mozambique to join the liberation struggle as a ZANLA cadre in 1976.
He stayed at Doroi Camp before proceeding to Chimoio for his initial military training at Takawira Two in 1977.
While undertaking military training, Chimoio Camp was attacked, and he was unable to complete the training.
He returned to Doroi Camp and later went to Tembwe ZANLA military training base to complete his training in 1978.
Towards the end of 1979, he was selected to go for cadet military training in Romania, where he specialised in Field Artillery until 1982.
The General Officer was a highly decorated soldier whose service to the nation spanned decades of sacrifice, leadership and commitment.
During “his selflessness and exemplary service to the nation”, the late General Officer was awarded the Liberation Medal, Independence of Zimbabwe; Ten Years’ Service Medal; Long and Exemplary Service Medal; Mozambique Campaign Medal; DRC Campaign Medal; Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Chimwaza retired from active service on 10 April 2022.
He left a legacy of excellence in the Zimbabwe National Army and the Defence Forces.
He is survived by his wife Viola and three daughters.
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