adminRay Bande Senior Reporter
IF there is anything that those who were privileged to know and interact with the late heroine, Cde Victoria Chitepo, can agree on is the fact that she was such a humble figure who never sought to get attention even when she duly deserved it.
The late heroine Cde Victoria Chitepo was described as a humble cadre who never yearned to ride on the liberation war credentials of her late husband, Advocate Herbert Chitepo to ascend the political ladder.
Several dignitaries interviewed by this newspaper at Bonda Mission in Mutasa District on Monday afternoon, all described Cde Chitepo as a humble cadre whose unwavering stance on party political issues will solely be missed.
In her characteristic humility, Cde Chitepo chose to unite feuding parties within the party as well as promote values of trustworthiness, honesty and humility.
Few human beings would have carried out that assignment as Cde Chitepo did; not only did she carry out her brief diligently, she never enriched herself in doing so and today the nation has a lot to learn from the departed heroine.
Zanu-PF national women’s league’s secretary for administration, Cde Letina Undenge, said women leaders in the party had a lot to learn from Cde Chitepo.
“She was our mother. She remained unwavering in her allegiance to the party that she knows better – Zanu-PF. She has taught us true motherly love through the sterling job that she did for her own family after the untimely death of her husband in 1975.
“Being a single mother for that long and being able to give sound education to her children was not an easy task. As a woman, she leaves a legacy that we should all endeavour to emulate,” she said.
Acting Chief Mutasa, Chief Lovemore Tendai Mutasa also spoke glowingly of Cde Chitepo’s humility.
“I last saw her about a month ago when she came to St Augustine’s High where she was guest of honour at the burial of Father Proser’s ashes that had been flown from England.
“She was a mother in every sense of the word.
“She loved children. She was a unifier and more importantly she was very humble.
“It is sad that she has gone, yet when I saw her she never showed signs of illness,” said Acting Chief Mutasa.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, hailed the departed heroine for remaining steadfast in the Chitepo family for a very long time after the death of her husband.
“I think she led by example. I came into the politics way after the likes of Cde Victoria Chitepo were there.
“But she was humble and never wanted to show everyone that she was the wife of one of the founding members of the liberation struggle.
“I also think one of the things that we will learn from her is her unmatched steadfastness in the Chitepo family. If it were some of the cadres today, I think we would have changed many surnames after the death of the beloved one, but Cde Chitepo was not like that. She remained steadfast and took care of the kids that Cde Chitepo, her husband, left behind.”
Member of the House of Assembly for Mutasa South, Cde Irene Zindi echoed Cde Chimene’s sentiments saying the deceased heroine never boasted of being the wife of one of the most decorated liberation war fighters.
“What we are seeing these days is not what the likes of Cde Victoria Chitepo taught us.
“I learnt a lot of things from Cde Victoria Chitepo.
“She was not the one to aspire for the high table at every function even though it would be clear that she deserved to be there.
“She never showed or boasted about being the wife of one of the most decorated liberation war fighter.
“Some of the leaders that we have today brag about the little achievements that they have made yet some people like Cde Victoria Chitepo remained calm and humble even though they had fiery liberation war credentials.
“I will miss her and hope to continue emulating her. I wish we would all emulate her,” she said.
Cde Nyasha Chikwinya, the Mutare South Member of the National Assembly also commended the late Cde Victoria Chitepo for her patriotic stance.
“One would not believe that she is not originally from Zimbabwe given the way she loved this country.
“She loved Zimbabwe and its people in a manner that most of us cannot match.
“She was more concerned with uplifting the lives of the youth and women.
“She loved children and that is why she gave sound education to her own kids,” said Cde Chikwinya.
Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Chris Mushohwe, also spoke glowingly of the Cde Victoria Chitepo’s humility.
“I remember when I was Governor for Manicaland she would come to my office and each time she came I would ask her why she had not phoned me so that instead I would be the one to drive to see her myself, but she would refuse.
“This is how humble she was. After all, all those visits were about the Chitepo Ideological College.
“She really wanted to see that come to fruition and I think it would be a befitting tribute for us to make sure that the college is up and running,” said Dr Mushohwe.
The late national heroine died in Harare last Friday and her body was ferried to the family rural home near Bonda Mission on Monday accompanied by Politburo member, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, her son, Kule Zvenyika Chitepo and Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Dr Samuel Undenge and Professor Zengeni.
Several Government ministers, Members of National Assembly, service chiefs and heads of Government departments were at Bonda Mission to welcome Cde Chitepo’s body which was abroad an Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopter.
Retired Anglican bishop, Bishop Sebastian Bakare led a prayer session upon arrival of the body.
Cde Chitepo was buried at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare on Wednesday.
May her good soul rest in eternal peace!
Online Reporter