Bulawayo bids farewell to National Hero Brig Gen Tshuma

HUNDREDS of mourners yesterday gathered at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre for a memorial service in honour of late national hero Brigadier-General (Retired) Donald Silundi Tshuma ahead of his burial at the National Heroes Acre in Harare tomorrow.

President Mnangagwa is expected to preside over the burial ceremony.

War veterans, Government officials, family members, members of the security services and ordinary residents converged at the venue to pay tribute to a liberation war icon remembered for his humility, patriotism and unwavering dedication to national service.

Born Donald Silundi Tshuma, whose Chimurenga name was Henry Silundi, the late national hero became politically active at a young age after witnessing the injustices and racial discrimination of the Rhodesian regime.

The Government has provided 10 buses to ferry Bulawayo residents wishing to attend the burial in Harare.

The body of the late Brig-Gen (Rtd) Tshuma is expected to be flown to Charles Gumbo Barracks this afternoon, where it will lie in state ahead of burial at the National Heroes Acre tomorrow.

Speaker after speaker described the late national hero as a disciplined cadre, a family man and a servant leader who remained grounded despite his distinguished military career.

Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, said the conferment of national hero status on Brig-Gen (Rtd) Tshuma was befitting of the immense contribution he made to the country.

“A person reaps what he worked for and the late was accorded the status for the great work he did. It is an honour for Bulawayo Province. Your presence here is testimony to the kind of life he lived as umuntu wabantu,” she said.

“His unwavering dedication, whether during the arduous days of the liberation struggle or his continued service in rebuilding our beloved nation, showed a man who consistently put the needs of the people before his own.”

Minister Ncube urged Zimbabweans to honour the late national hero by embracing the values he stood for, including patriotism, hard work, unity and commitment to national development.

She also thanked President Mnangagwa for conferring national hero status on Brig-Gen (Rtd) Tshuma, saying the recognition was a source of pride for the province.

In an emotional tribute, Brig-Gen (Rtd) Tshuma’s daughter, Ms Farai Tshuma, described her father as a quiet but deeply caring man whose actions spoke louder than words.

“My daddy was a quiet man who did not need many words to be understood. He spoke through his presence, consistency, sacrifice and the steady way he showed up for us every day,” she said.

“To some people, silence can look like distance, but to us his silence was full of meaning.”

Fighting back tears, Ms Tshuma said her father instilled discipline, honesty and respect in his children through the example he set.

“Our father was kind, humble, hard-working, and he cared for and taught us a good way of life. He taught us to respect everyone. Even during difficult times, he never gave up, he always urged us to soldier on,” she said.

“He may no longer be with us in body, but his love, wisdom and values will stay with us forever she said.”

Director of policy planning, monitoring and evaluation in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Mr Mike Musaka, urged residents to travel in large numbers to Harare to honour the liberation war hero.

“We have arranged 10 buses for members of the public. We urge Bulawayo residents to accompany our national hero to the National Heroes Acre and give him a befitting send-off,” he said. — @themkhust.