Online Reporter
Hello Zimbabwe!
Today we are coming to you live from the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare where President Mnangagwa will presidesover the burial of Brigadier-General (Retired) Donald Silundi Tshuma.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Tshuma passed on 15 May at his home in Nkulumane, Bulawayo.
He was 71.
The national hero’s remains arrived at Charles Gumbo Barracks yesterday, where they lay in state ahead of today’s burial.
Ahead of this final journey, the body was taken last week to Swart Village in Bubi District, Matabeleland North Province, for a family ceremony, before being flown back to Bulawayo the same day to lie in state at the family residence.
Stay with us throughout the proceedings as our Reporter Harmony Agere and Photographer Believe Nyakudjara brings you live updates from the National Heroes’ Acre.
Service Chiefs arrive
Service Chiefs led by Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Emmanuel Matatu have arrived for the burial of Brigadier-General (Retd) Donald Silundi Tshuma.
The military Chiefs inspected the guard of honor before proceeding to take their seats.
The atmosphere is now lively with the venue almost full as Zimbabweans, Government officials and the diplomatic community gather to bid their farewell to the National Hero.
Who Was Donald Silundi Tshuma?
National hero Donald Silundi Tshuma, whose nom de guerre was Henry Silundi, was a liberation war fighter and senior military officer who dedicated decades of his life to Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence and national service.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Tshuma died on May 15 at his Nkulumane home in Bulawayo at the age of 71.
Born into a period marked by colonial oppression, Brig-Gen (Rtd) Tshuma became politically active at a young age after witnessing racial discrimination and injustices under the Rhodesian regime.
He joined the ZAPU Youth League and served as District Organising Secretary for Gwabalanda in Bulawayo, becoming a prominent youth activist whose activities attracted the attention of the Rhodesian Special Branch.
In November 1976, he escaped arrest and crossed into Botswana before proceeding to Zambia, where he joined the armed liberation struggle as a cadre of ZIPRA, the military wing of ZAPU.
He initially stayed at Nampundwe Transit Camp before undergoing military training at Mwembeshi Camp in 1977.
After completing training, he was deployed along the Zambezi River on the Northern Front.
In February 1978, Brig-Gen (Rtd) Tshuma was among 300 cadres selected for further military training in Libya together with the late national hero Lookout Masuku.
However, the programme did not proceed after the Libyan government reportedly required the trainees to convert to Islam, a condition the group refused. He remained in Libya for a year before returning to Zambia.
In November 1979, he was selected for further military training in the former Soviet Union, now Russia, where he trained as a platoon commander until June 1980.
Following Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, Brig-Gen (Rtd) Tshuma continued serving in the national army and steadily rose through the ranks. He was promoted to Captain in 1981, Major in 1982 and later Lieutenant-Colonel in 2012.
After retiring from active service in 2020, he attained the rank of Brigadier-General.
During his military career, he received several honours for distinguished service, including the Liberation Medal, Independence Medal, Long and Exemplary Service Medal and the Commander of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Tshuma is survived by four children.
Vice Presidents arrive
President Mnangagwa’s deputies Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and Vice President Kembo Mohadi have arrived.
The two leaders briefly interacted with the crowd before exchanging salutes and greetings with Military Chiefs and Cabinent Ministers present.
The arrival of the body is expected shortly, followed by that of President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa joins funeral procession
President Mnangagwa has arrived at the National Heroes Acre for the burial of national hero
Brigadier-General (Retd) Donald Silundi Tshuma.
Upon arrival, he immediately joined the funeral procession.
The President’s arrival marks the beginning of the official ceremony. Home Affairs and Cultural
Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe is now on the podium, directing the ceremony.
Scenes at the national shrine
Daughter pays emotional tribute to national hero
The daughter of late national hero Donald Silundi Tshuma, Ms Patience Tshuma, delivered an emotional speech, describing her father as a loving and caring parent who dedicated himself to both his family and country.
Speaking during the burial proceedings, Ms Tshuma said her father played a central role in raising her and her siblings following the death of their mother at a young age.
“My father raised me because my mother died when I was very young. He took great care of my siblings and l and showed us love,” she said.
Ms Tshuma said the family was grateful to the Government for conferring national hero status on the late retired Brigadier-General.
She described the retired military commander as a disciplined and dedicated soldier who kept his professional challenges away from his family life.
“To the nation of Zimbabwe, my father was a dedicated and disciplined soldier but to us, he was a loving father who never allowed his work frustrations into our home,” she said.
“Rest in peace father,” she concluded her tribute.
President Mnangagwa pays tribute to national hero Brig-Gen (Rtd) Tshuma
President Mnangagwa has praised national hero Brigadier General (Retired) Donald Silundi Tshuma as a dedicated liberation war fighter and loyal servant of the country.
Addressing mourners this morning, President Mnangagwa said Brig-Gen (Rtd) Tshuma made immense contributions to both the liberation of the country and national development after independence.
The President said the national hero joined the liberation struggle at a young age and urged youths to emulate his spirit in advancing the country’s economic development agenda.
“Today Zimbabwe says to you, thank you, thank you, your professional and exceptional patriotism, your loyalty, your consistency and persistency are praiseworthy and worthy of emulation,” said the President.
“This flame, infinite, shall continue to fly high, and the flame of the people’s revolution shall burn eternally.
“This sacred path will never be abandoned. And until it is not surrendered, the revolution continues. Thank you very much.”
President Mnangagwa also said the country’s current economic stability and growth were a result of policies implemented by the Second Republic.
“The economic stability and growth we are experiencing in our country is not a mistake,” he said.
“It is a result of the policies we have put in place as the Second Republic.
“Many reports from global financial and banking institutions such as the IMF and World Bank support this.”
The late Brig-Gen (Rtd) Tshuma was declared a National Hero in recognition of his contribution to the liberation struggle and service to the country after independence.
Tshuma Family lays wreaths
Family members of national hero Brigadier-General (Retd) Donald Silundi Tshuma are now laying wreaths and throwing soil into the grave in a final act of paying their last respects.
This followed the presentation of arms and the sounding of the Last Post by members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
Earlier, President Mnangagwa presented the National Flag to Patience Tshuma, the daughter of the national hero.
