adminAuxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
The late Colonel Kuthandakwenkosi Donga was laid to rest yesterday with the Minister of Defence, Cde Sydney Sekeramayi, describing her as a brave woman and an efficient and hard-working officer.Col Donga (nee Ngwenya), the country’s first female defence attaché, passed away on January 8, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she was deployed.
Speaking at her burial at West Park Cemetery, Cde Sekeramayi said Col Donga performed tasks under any circumstances.
“Much has been said about the late Col Donga and I’ll not repeat what has been said suffice to say that she’s one of the brave daughters of Zimbabwe who after graduating from the University of Zimbabwe with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Sociology decided to join the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and especially the Zimbabwe National Army where initially she worked as a social worker,” said Cde Sekeramayi.
He said after doing a number of courses relevant to the defence forces, Col Donga was promoted to the rank of major, then lieutenant colonel and eventually colonel, a rank she held until the time of her death.
“She worked in the defence forces also as a protocol officer where she was an extremely efficient officer. If there were functions to be undertaken, you were sure that the instructions given to her would be carried to the dot. It was a pleasant feeling as the minister, as commanders to know that you’ve an officer who’s dependable, punctual and efficient who can perform tasks under any circumstances,” said Cde Sekeramayi.
He said it was her talents that convinced the Ministry of Defence to post her to Ethiopia as Zimbabwe’s defence attaché.
Cde Sekeramayi said during her tour of duty, Col Donga performed extremely well as evidenced by the presence of defence attachés from other countries who accompanied her to her resting place.
“We as the defence forces, as government, knew that she was working very hard in the security and defence sector of the diplomatic service. She would attend meetings and write reports which were punctual and up to date,” said the Minister.
Cde Sekeramayi said Col Donga also had an economic touch as she had written a paper in line with Zim-Asset comparing the country’s economic blue- print with how Ethiopia had done its own programme similar to Zimbabwe’s.
“As we gather here, we do so with a heavy heart but we accept that if you’re born, this is the final destination. On behalf of the Ministry of Defence, we’re proud of your work. We wish you peace as you go to your Creator.”
The Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs, Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, described Col Donga as a humble woman who was ever smiling.
“We’re gathered here to pay respect to Mamane, we’re mourning a lady who raised the Ngwenya family’s name high as well as the Dongas through her good works,” said Minister Moyo.
Col Donga’s husband, Kingstone, described his late wife as a loving and peaceful woman.
“Mamane loved so deeply, she loved her family and everyone around her. She was so humble, she was a peaceful person who did not like confrontation and would easily walk away from it,” he said.
The head of Chancery at the country’s embassy in Ethiopia, Winpeg Moyo who stood in for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, described Col Donga as an excellent cadre they had worked with at the Embassy.
Moyo said she was among the people who went to Col Donga’s house after she had failed to turn up for work and found her lying dead on the bathroom floor.
Among the mourners were the Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo and his wife; the Commander of the Defence Forces General Constantine Chiwenga and his wife; Zimbabwe National Army Commander, Lieutenant General Philip Valerio Sibanda and his wife; the Commissioner-General of Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Major General Paradzai Zimondi and Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Deputy Minister, Cde Abigail Damasane.
Also present were defence attaches from Zambia, Angola, Nigeria, Netherlands, Swaziland and Namibia.
Col Donga is survived by her husband, Kingstone and two children Takunda and Sakhile.
Online Reporter