Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
THE widow of national hero, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Harold Mtandwa Chirenda , Cde Florence Mankosi Chirenda, who died in the early hours of Tuesday at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo, has been conferred with Liberation War Heroine status.
She was 71.
The liberation war heroine will be laid to rest on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes Acre in Nkulumane.
Her body will lie in state at her Paddonhurst suburb home on Sunday night before burial the following day.
Her daughter, Ms Louisa Chirenda, said the family is grateful that the late liberation war heroine has been honoured by the Government.
“Being declared a provincial heroine is one of the highest honours in Zimbabwe and as a family we are proud of our late mother.
“We are immensely honoured by Government’s recognition of her contributions,” said Louisa.
“It is humbling to know that her life’s sacrifices and dedication have been acknowledged at the highest level. She was not just our mother, she was a mother to many, a leader, a freedom fighter and a philanthropist.”
She said the honour will cement her mother’s legacy for generations to come.
“We thank the people of Zimbabwe for standing with us and for recognising the values our mother lived by, dignity, justice and service.
“While we mourn her loss, we are comforted by the fact that her life and sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. She was a woman of strength, integrity and courage,” said Louisa.
“This honour is not just for her, but for every woman who laboured for the freedom of her country, community and family. We thank the Government of Zimbabwe and all those who supported and stood by her. She belongs now to the nation,”
Born on July 10, 1954, in Matobo 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 Romania, while stationed in Bucharest, that she met her husband, the late Lt-Col (Rtd) Chirenda.
Upon returning to Zimbabwe, she worked as a journalist at the Zimbabwe Inter-Africa News Agency (Ziana) in Harare until retirement. Her passion for storytelling was matched by her business acumen and creativity.
In addition to her journalism and business pursuits, Cde Chirenda was known for her philanthropic spirit. She supported various charitable initiatives and found joy in nurturing her garden, which she often described as a sanctuary for her family.
Cde Chirenda is survived by four children, three daughters and a son. Mourners are gathered at number 22 Britton Avenue in Paddonhurst, Bulawayo.
Her husband, the late Lt-Col (Rtd) Chirenda, whose nom-de-guerre was Elliot Masengo, died in January 2014 at the United Bulawayo Hospitals and was declared a national hero.
He was among the first group of 19 cadres sent to Kasr El Boughari in Algeria in 1964 for military training. A year later, he enrolled for an Officer Cadet Course at Cherchel Military Academy, graduating in 1966 and qualifying as a Commando.
During his time at Cherchel, he trained alongside notable figures including the late Mozambican President Samora Machel, Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) envoy to Zimbabwe Ali Ahmad Halimeh, and Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni.
His excellence saw him appointed as a military instructor at Zipra’s Morogoro Training Camp in Tanzania in 1967, where he taught Field Engineering, Guerrilla Warfare and Topography.
In recognition of his service, Lt-Col (Rtd) Chirenda was awarded numerous honours, including the Independence Medal, Liberation Silver Medal, Long Service Medal (15 years), and the Mozambique Campaign Medal.
