Source: War veterans, family pay tribute to Matemadanda – herald
Cde Douglas MahiyaJoseph Madzimure
Zimpapers Politics Hub
RELATIVES and friends of the late national hero, Ambassador Victor Matemadanda, have eulogised him as a patriot, revolutionary and man of the people.
Thousands thronged the National Heroes Acre to give the firebrand former ZANU PF Political Commissar a befitting send-off. According to the National Museums and Monuments, Ambassador Matemadanda is the 203rd national hero to be buried at the shrine.
Alongside close comrades-in-arms — including ZANU PF Secretary for War Veterans Cde Douglas Mahiya, Deputy Secretary Cde Headman Moyo, and ZANU PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa — Cde Matemadanda contributed immensely to the birth of the Second Republic.
Speaking at the Heroes Acre, Cde Mahiya recalled a time when the nation grappled with succession challenges.
“There was a time when the nation struggled with succession issues, where we thought — and knew — that the person who would succeed the late former President Robert Mugabe might be someone unqualified. The new generation then was so close to manipulating the succession matrix in Zimbabwe.
“Cde Matemadanda’s value lay in his bravery, resilience, and resistance to things not progressive.
“I was Secretary for Information and Publicity of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), reporting to Cde Matemadanda, who was Secretary-General. But he never minded mistakes — he believed one could only err when doing something, and mistakes can be corrected.”
Cde Mahiya added that Cde Matemadanda focused more on achievements than on errors.
“To me, he was like a brother. I have lost someone, and I believe the nation feels the same.”
His personal assistant, Cde Beauty Muchemwa, said the nation had lost a patriotic cadre who fought for the welfare of war veterans.
“He was always there for them. Even for those war veterans we left in Mozambique — those who perished there — he desired to ensure they received proper burials and that those sites were cleaned up. I will miss him personally. He was a good man, and I do not say that just because he has died.”
ZANU PF Deputy Secretary for Security Cde Tendai Chirau, who also worked closely with the late hero, described him as a warrior committed to results.
“I worked with Cde Matemadanda during his tenure as Political Commissar. He was a take-charge, go-getter. You could never tell him there was no money or no car — he would make things happen even without resources. Even if he knew some might not be happy, he believed in himself and in his ability to make things happen.”
Cde Chirau said the late hero related to everyone, rich and poor alike.
“He had a strong sense of justice, but most importantly, he loved his country and his party.” The late national hero’s son, Itai Matemadanda, expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa for conferring national hero status on his father, describing the honour as a source of comfort and pride.
“As a family, we express deep gratitude to His Excellency President Mnangagwa for the honour bestowed upon our father.”
He said the family remained grateful for his sacrifices during the liberation struggle, recalling how he left his family behind to join the war so future generations could enjoy a better life.
Mr Matemadanda said the family drew comfort from knowing his father’s contribution had been permanently recognised in the country’s history.
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