adminHarare Bureau
THE late national heroines Cde Victoria Fikile Chitepo and Cde Vivian Mwashita will be laid to rest side-by-side at the National Heroes Acre in Harare today — the first double burial at the national shrine.
Separate church services were held in the capital yesterday.
Cde Chitepo, 88, who died last Friday, was described as a humble, dedicated and irreplaceable mother figure.
Speaking at a special mass led by Bishop Chad Gandiya, head of the Anglican Church, retired bishop Peter Hatendi said Cde Chitepo was a national heroine of a special class and an outstanding politician.
“She was a woman admired for her rare achievements and service to both the church and the country,” said Bishop Hatendi.
Bishop Gandiya described Cde Chitepo as a remarkable woman of faith and humility.
“She was also our hero, a hero of faith, a woman of great humility,” he said.
Her daughter Thokozile Chitepo said the challenge now was for the family to sustain the legacy left behind by her mother and that of her late father, Cde Herbert Chitepo.
She said Cde Chitepo had a passion for young people, women empowerment and education.
“She loved projects and creating opportunities for women and young people. We’ll miss her, particularly the efforts she made in creating peace and unity in the family. As a family, we’re left with a big challenge to sustain her legacy as well as that of Baba Herbert Chitepo,” she said.
Cde Chitepo is survived by four children and grandchildren.
At the Salvation Army Citadel in Breaside, a service was held for Cde Mwashita who was described as selfless, God-fearing, courageous and strong willed.
Cde Mwashita, died last Friday at Parirenyatwa Hospital after suffering from a stroke. She was 58.
Cde Miriam Chikukwa, the Minister of State for the Harare Province, said Cde Mwashita fought for the liberation of Zimbabwe and later became a soldier in ministering God.
“Only people who are consistent are buried at the Heroes Acre. One has to be strong and unwavering to get such a status. Viviane endured the pain she faced and kept on going until the day of her departure. She fought a good fight and awaits her crown from the Creator,” she said.
Cde Mwashita is survived by three children, Chamunorwa, Nyasha and Memory and six grandchildren.
The government has provided 50 buses to ferry people from their respective provinces to the National Heroes Acre to bid farewell to the two cadres.
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