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This week has been a dark week for the country and particularly for Matabeleland region following the death of National Railways of Zimbabwe general manager Retired Air Commodore Mike Tcihafa Karakadzai on Monday and veteran nationalist and former Cabinet Minister Cde Enos Mzombi Nkala on Wednesday. Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai died in a car crash near Shangani Mine turn-off flyover bridge along the Bulawayo-Harare Road when his car hit a stray cow and then sideswiped with a haulage truck that was going the opposite direction.
The late NRZ general manager who was travelling alone from Harare, was on his way to Bulawayo. Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai sustained serious injuries on the head, hand and back and he died on admission to Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo.
Cde Nkala who died at the Avenues Clinic in Harare, succumbed to renal failure. The President, Cde Mugabe, described Cde Nkala as a staunch and unyielding fighter of the liberation struggle who was also a good organiser and non-tribalist who deserves the highest honour accorded the country’s outstanding liberators.
“I worked with Enos from 1960 after my return from Ghana. We were together all the way until after independence. He was our first Minister of Finance and when he retired we kept in touch. I am sure he will be buried at the National Heroes’ Acre. If a person like Enos is not buried there then no one else should.
I want to see him well honoured and given that recognition that all who fought in the liberation struggle are given by us who are still living,” said Cde Mugabe.
Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai was described by the NRZ board chairman Dr Kotsho Dube as a manager and strategist par excellence.
Dr Dube said Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai who joined the NRZ in 2005, immensely contributed to the revitalisation of the organisation at a time when it was beset with many challenges which led to the closure of many industries in Zimbabwe.
“His departure at this time has left a void as his managerial acumen was immensely needed to steer the organisation from murky waters to fruition and operational fluidity,” said Dr Dube.
The two freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives to liberate this country from the shackles of colonialism died just before Cde Mugabe’s inauguration yesterday. What should however be consoling their spirits is that they witnessed the just ended harmonised elections in which Zimbabweans said an emphatic “No” to colonialism by voting overwhelmingly for Zanu-PF.
The late Cde Nkala and Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai who unfortunately failed to join the rest of Zimbabweans to celebrate the inauguration of President Mugabe which marked a new chapter in the history of Zimbabwe, have bequeathed us with a rich legacy of dedication and commitment to the development of the country.
Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai having distinguished himself during the liberation struggle and at the Air Force of Zimbabwe, had to be recalled from pension to take up the post of general manager at NRZ. He joined the NRZ when it was facing many challenges as rightly observed by Dr Dube.
The NRZ like many of the country’s companies has witnessed low business resulting in it failing to meet its obligations such as paying salaries. There are however reports that the situation has started improving because of Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai’s management skills.
Cde Nkala on his part played a crucial role before and after independence.
Zimbabweans are today poorer without people like Cde Nkala and Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai who put the interest of the country before self. The living therefore have an obligation to ensure that the aspirations of Cde Nkala, Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai and many others who went before them are fulfilled.
The transfer of the country’s wealth from foreign hands to indigenous Zimbabweans is what these gallant sons and daughters who paid the ultimate price to liberate this country yearned for.
Online Reporter