admin
Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
HUNDREDS of people in Chipinge last week thronged Mukwakwami Village under Chief Musikavanhu to pay their last respects to liberation war hero, Cde Thuyani Sigauke.
Cde Sigauke was 64 and he died in a car accident while travelling to his farm in Clearwater.
During the funeral service, speaker after speaker described Cde Sigauke as a patriotic Zimbabwean whose dream was to see a prosperous society.
Cde Sigauke’s nom-de-guerre name was Paramo Zanla.
In a speech read on his behalf by Chipinge Assistant District Development Coordinator (DDC), Mr Tedious Beto, Director General in the President’s Department, Mr Isaac Moyo described Cde Sigauke as a hard working and committed cadre.
Mr Moyo said Government appreciates the sacrifices of liberation fighters who risked their lives to free the country from colonial rule.
He urged people not to betray the gains of the liberation struggle.
“The late Cde Sigauke was a great champion of the emancipation of the oppressed black Zimbabweans. He was a true champion of black empowerment. To underscore this disposition, Cde Sigauke acquired Destiny Farm in Chipinge, where he was a prominent horticulture, cattle ranching and macadamia nuts farmer.
“He was also a humble and compassionate leader who showed selfless dedication to the nation. As a district, we will surely remember the late Cde Sigauke.
“His family has been robbed of a son, brother, father and breadwinner. The pain cannot be measured, but indeed, we are with you during this trying moment,” said Mr Moyo.
Speaking at the same event, aspiring Zanu PF candidate for Chipinge East, Cde Lincoln Dhliwayo said the void left behind by Cde Sigauke will be difficult to fill.
“Cde Sigauke was a true son of the soil. He was a proud Chipinge son who loved to see the district prosper. After his successful farming stories in Clearwater, Cde Sigauke managed to take proceeds from his farm and invested in Mkwakwkami Village where he was a proud owner of another thriving macadamia farm. We all should all invest in our rural homes as was done by Cde Sigauke,” said Cde Dhliwayo.
He also took the opportunity to urge people to vote peacefully.
“As we are gearing for the harmonised elections, we are preaching peace. Violence has no place in Zimbabwe, and the unity displayed at this funeral should continue to prevail,” said Cde Dhliwayo.
A villager, Mr Sifelani Tonje said: “As a community, we are have lost a great man. Before his demise, I managed to have a chat with him. He told me of his dream to empower our community. Cde Sigauke had pledged to help our community to venture into macadamia nuts farming. He wanted to see every family have at least 10 macadamia plants.”
Cde Sigauke was born on November 10, 1959 in Chipinge.
From 1966 to 1973, Cde Sigauke was enrolled at Big Tree School, Chikore, where he successfully completed his Standard Six.
He later enrolled at Mt Selinda for his secondary education.
1n 1977, Cde Sigauke left the school for Mozambique through Espungabeira to join the liberation struggle as a Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) freedom fighter.
He received his initial basic military training at Chibawawa,Mozambique.
In 1978, he was sent to Lybia for a further command course and later returned to the country in 1979.
After independence in 1980, Cde Sigauke was sent to North Korea for a Diploma in Artillery Commanding which he completed in 1981.
Upon return, the quest to protect Zimbabwe’s independence saw him joining the President’s Department where he rose through the ranks to become an Intelligence Officer, a position he held until his retirement on April 30, 1999.
Cde Sigauke is survived by his wife, Mrs Enia Sigauke, and four children.
Online Reporter