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Joseph Madzimure, Senior Reporter
BRIGADIER-GENERAL (Retired) Elasto Madzingira has been declared a national hero.
He died at his home in Greendale, Harare, on August 8 at the age of 65 after a short illness.
Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Charles Tawengwa, who is also the Secretary for Education, Research and Ideology in the Zanu PF Politburo, delivered the message of the declaration to the Madzingira family in Harare last night.
“The conferment of the national hero’s status was due to his contribution to the nation, during the pre-independence and post-independence eras,” said Minister Tawengwa.
Brig-Gen Madzingira was born on August 4, 1959 in Gomba Village, Chivi District, the sixth in a family of 11 children. He and two of his siblings abandoned their university studies to join the liberation struggle.
He did his primary education in Chivi at Mukotosi and Jaka Schools. Due to the bottlenecked education system, Brig-Gen Madzingira demonstrated academic prowess that he won a secondary place at Fletcher High School from 1972 to 1977.
In recognition of his immense academic talent, he was awarded a Word University Services Scholarship in 1978.
The scholarship gave him access to study at any university of his choice within the Commonwealth countries but he chose to be enrolled for a pharmacy degree at the then University of Rhodesia and now University of Zimbabwe.
However, a few months into his studies in 1978, Brig-Gen Madzingira decided to abandon his studies to join the liberation struggle in Mozambique. He joined the ZANLA forces in Bikita through the underground network of the late national hero Dr Simon Mazorodze.
He was in a group of five other university students; two of whom were his brothers.
At that time, he demonstrated political awareness and commitment beyond his age that the guerrilla commanders singled him out to train at the front while the other four were taken directly to Chimoio, Mozambique.
Brig-Gen Madzingira operated for five months under the leadership of Air Marshal (Rtd) Henry Muchena before proceeding to Mozambique where he received military training. He later assumed the role of medical training officer where he trained troop medics at the rear.
He returned to Zimbabwe in August 1980 and was later sent to Yugoslavia in November 1980 where he studied mechanical engineering at the University of Zagreb.
Soon after completing his undergraduate studies, he was attested into the Air Force of Zimbabwe as a flight lieutenant on January 4, 1985 and promoted to squadron leader on July 1, 1987, wing commander on July 17, 1989, and group captain on January 22, 1992.
With his qualifications and expertise, Brig-Gen Madzingira worked in finance and he rose to become the Director Finance before his retirement.
In 1992, he sustained serious injuries while on duty, which left him wheelchair bound and resulting in his retirement on medical grounds. He was transferred to the ZNA and promoted to the rank of Brig-Gen on retirement.
Brig-Gen Madzingira was decorated with the following honours: Independence Medal, 10 Years’ Service Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal, Liberation Medal and the Long and Exemplary Service Medal.
He is survived by wife and six children. Burial arrangements will be advised in due course.
Online Reporter