Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
TWO liberation war heroes, Comrades Florence Mankosi Chirenda and Mangwende Mjaji Madonko, were laid to rest yesterday at the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes Acre in Nkulumane, in a solemn and rare occasion where more than one hero was buried on the same day.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at the shrine to pay their final respects and celebrate the lives of the fallen liberation stalwarts.
Cde Chirenda, widow of the late national hero Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Harold Mtandwa Chirenda, passed away in the early hours of last Tuesday at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo. She was 71 and was conferred with Liberation War Heroine status.
Cde Madonko, whose nom de guerre was Jephias Madlenyika during the liberation struggle, died on July16 at his Cowdray Park home in Bulawayo, aged 68.
Born on March 3 1957 at Manama Mission Hospital in Gwanda, Cde Madonko completed his primary education at Madume Primary School. He joined the liberation struggle in April 1977, crossing the border into Botswana before proceeding to Zambia. There, he stayed at Nampundu Camp before undergoing training at Mulungushi Camp for a year, later being deployed to Kafue Camp.
After independence, he joined the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and was stationed at Rushinga Barracks in Mount Darwin. He retired from the army in 2007.
Cde Chirenda studied overseas, earning a Diploma in Journalism from the Stefan Gheorghiu Academy’s Faculty of Journalism in Bucharest, Romania, graduating in 1981. Upon returning to Zimbabwe, she worked as a journalist at the Zimbabwe Inter-Africa News Agency (Ziana) in Harare until her retirement.
She was the widow of the late Lt-Col (Rtd) Chirenda, whose nom de guerre was Elliot Masengo. He passed away in January 2014 at the United Bulawayo Hospitals and was declared a national hero.
Born on July 10, 1954 in Kezi District, Matabeleland South, Cde Chirenda began her education at Mtshumayeli Primary School before proceeding to Usher Mission for secondary education. She later studied at Moeng College in Botswana.
A war veteran in her own right, Cde Chirenda made significant contributions during and after Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. In the 1970s, she was sent to Romania under the auspices of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (Zapu) to study journalism.
It was in Bucharest that she met her future husband, the late Lt-Col (Rtd) Chirenda.
Beyond journalism, Cde Chirenda was known for her business acumen, creativity, and philanthropic spirit. She supported various charitable initiatives and found joy in nurturing her garden, which she often described as a sanctuary for her family.
She is survived by four children—three daughters and a son.
The two fallen heroes were described by their families as loving parents and grandparents who instilled values of hard work and patriotism in those close to them.
In an address to mourners read on her behalf by Deputy director environmental planning and management, Ms Norah Mupaza, Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Judith Ncube, said the burial of two heroes on the same day marked a sombre moment for the province.
“It’s another sad moment that we are gathered here again to lay to rest our gallant daughter Florence Mankosi Chirenda and gallant son Mangwende Mjaji Madonko. The rate at which we are losing our dear comrades is alarming, and today we are burying two comrades at the same time—a situation that is very sad indeed,” said Minister Ncube.
She said that the passing of the two liberation heroes had been deeply felt not only by their families but also by the wider Bulawayo community and the nation at large.
“Before their deaths, they both dedicated themselves to serving the country and its people. Even though they are gone, their incredible work as liberators of this country will not fade. The legacy left behind by Cde Chirenda and Cde Madonko will never fade, as we shall always remember their sterling contributions before and after independence,” she said.
