Online Reporter
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage from the National Heroes Acre in Harare.
Today, President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa will preside over the burial of the late Ambassador Victor Matemadanda, who was conferred national hero status for his contribution to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and decades of public service.
Ambassador Matemadanda died on Sunday at the age of 66 after a short illness.
At the time of his death, he was serving as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Our Reporter Harmony Agere and Chief Photographer Believe Nyakudjara are at the National Heroes Acre and will provide live coverage as events unfold.
Zimbabwe stands still
A solemn hush hangs over the National Heroes Acre this morning, broken by those singing to bid the national hero goodbye.
The grounds, usually quiet, have filled steadily since dawn.
The mood is one of restrained grief and collective duty.
National flags flutter at half-mast against a pale Harare sky, with the cold June breeze biting those in attendance.
The air carries the weight of a country pausing to honour one of its liberation war veterans and a diplomat who served until his final days.
As the time for the ceremony draws closer, the gathering has grown more focused. There is a sense of anticipation, but it is tempered by respect.
Zimbabwe is standing together to bid farewell to a distinguished public servant whose life spanned the liberation struggle, Government, and diplomacy.
Mourners gather at Heroes Acre ahead of burial
Ministers, senior Government officials, Service Chiefs, war veterans and members of the public are gathered here at the National Heroes Acre ahead of the burial of Cde Matemadanda.
Members of the military stand at attention along the pathways, cameras are set, and the crowd awaits for proceedings to begin in the next few minutes.
Service Chiefs arrive
Service Chiefs, led by Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Emmanuel Matatu, have arrived at the National Heroes Acre ahead of the burial of National Hero Ambassador Victor Matemadanda.
Upon arrival, General Matatu briefly inspected the guard of honour before leading the Service Chiefs to their seats.
Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has also arrived.
Mourners continue to stream into the shrine, joining military officers, Government officials, Zanu PF supporters, affiliates and members of the public to pay their final respects to Ambassador Matemadanda.
VP Chiwenga now at National Heroes Acre
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has arrived at the National Heroes Acre for the burial of Ambassador Matemadanda.
The VPe exchanged greetings and lighthearted conversation with Cabinet Ministers before taking his seat in the VIP tent.
National hero’s remains now at Heroes Acre
A quiet stillness fell over the National Heroes Acre a short while ago as the hearse carrying the body of the late Ambassador Victor Matemadanda arrived at the shrine.
The hearse, draped in the national flag, made its way slowly to the dais. With the body now at the shrine, the formal proceedings are set to begin.
President Mnangagwa is expected to lead the nation in paying final respects to the liberation war veteran and diplomat.
All eyes are now on the dais as Zimbabwe prepares to bid farewell to one of its distinguished sons of the soil.
President Mnangagwa joins mourners
President Mnangagwa has arrived at the National Heroes Acre for the burial of the national hero.
On arrival, the President joined the funeral procession, with the body of Ambassador Matemadanda having arrived earlier.
The President has since taken his seat in the VIP.
His arrival marks the beginning of the official ceremony, with Home Affairs and Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe taking to the podium to kickstart proceedings.
Remembering Ambassador Matemadanda
As a veteran Zanu PF politician and former liberation war fighter, Ambassador Matemadanda was an influential, longtime political commissar in the ruling party and played an active role in national politics and war veterans’ affairs before taking up his diplomatic assignments.
Born on March 3, 1960, Cde Matemadanda experienced the effects of colonial displacement at an early age after his family was relocated from their land to Gokwe before later going into exile in Zambia.
Inspired by his father’s participation in the liberation struggle, he joined the armed struggle as a teenager in the 1970s, undergoing military training before operating from Zambia and Mozambique.
In 1979, he was deployed to the Mutoko front as a Zanla combatant, contributing to the country’s fight for independence.
After independence, Ambassador Matemadanda became one of the country’s most influential war veteran leaders, serving as secretary-general.
In that role, he championed the welfare of former freedom fighters and helped shape the association’s leadership and policy direction.
His political career saw him rise to become the party’s National Political Commissar in 2017.
He was elected Member of Parliament for Gokwe Central in 2018 before being appointed Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, where he played a key role in matters relating to national security and the welfare of liberation war veterans.
In 2021, he was appointed Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique with additional accreditation to Eswatini, a role in which he worked to strengthen diplomatic, economic and historical ties with the two countries, particularly those rooted in the shared liberation struggle.
Away from politics and public office, Ambassador Matemadanda also pursued higher education, earning a degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA) before obtaining a Doctorate in Business Administration from the African Leadership Institute in 2022.
He is remembered for his steadfast commitment to preserving the legacy of the liberation struggle and for his continued service to the nation in both government and diplomacy until his death.
Family thanks President for honoring Ambassador Matemadanda
The family of national hero Ambassador Matemadanda has expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa for conferring national hero status on the late liberation war veteran, describing the honour as a source of comfort and pride.
Family representative Mr Itai Matemadanda thanked President Mnangagwa for recognising the contributions made by his father to Zimbabwe.
“As a family, we express deep gratitude to His Excellency President Mnangagwa for the honour bestowed upon Ambassador Matemadanda,” said Mr Matemadanda.
He said the family is grateful for the sacrifices made by Ambassador Matemadanda during the liberation struggle, recalling that he left his family behind to join the war so that future generations could enjoy a better life.
“He left his family behind, going into the bush, so we could have a great future.”
Mr Matemadanda said the family draws comfort from knowing that the late national hero’s contribution had been permanently recognised in the country’s history.
Paying tribute to his father’s character, Mr Matemadanda described Ambassador Matemadanda as a man who always kept his word and remained committed to those around him despite the demands of public life.
Ambassador Matemadanda’s dedicated service hailed
President Mnangagwa has hailed the late national hero Ambassador Victor Matemadanda as a steadfast patriot and dedicated servant whose contribution to the liberation struggle, national politics and diplomacy will continue to inspire future generations.
Speaking at Ambassador Matemadanda’s burial at the National Heroes Acre in Harare this morning, President Mnangagwa said the country had lost a loyal revolutionary whose unwavering commitment to the ideals of the liberation struggle remained evident throughout his life.
“It was therefore with immense shock and sadness that I received the news of his passing on, last Saturday, the 20th of June, 2026, at Parirenyatwa Hospital,” he said.
“His demise is a blow to our nation and we grieve this loss.
“On behalf of our revolutionary mass party, Zanu PF, the people and Government of Zimbabwe, that of my family and indeed on my behalf, I once again extend heartfelt condolences to the Matemadanda family.”
The President recalled his final meeting with Ambassador Matemadanda during his visit to Eswatini in April this year to commemorate the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s coronation.
“In April 2026, I was in Eswatini to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the coronation of King Mswati III,” he said.
“Ambassador Cde Matemadanda received me and accompanied me throughout the event.
“As per tradition, we shared a meal, laughed and reminisced about the days of the struggle, departed comrades, as well as views on how we can grow relations with the countries where he was accredited Ambassador.
“He later saw me off as I returned home. Unbeknownst to me, that was the last meal we would share, the last handshake and the last wave goodbye, as I bid him farewell.”
President Mnangagwa described the late Ambassador as a principled revolutionary whose ideological conviction never wavered.
“Our late national hero, Cde Victor Matemadanda, was unwavering in his ideological clarity, patriotism and loyalty to the values of the liberation struggle,” said the President.
“He answered the call of our national armed struggle and remained fiercely dedicated to the complete economic liberation of Zimbabwe.
Ambassador Matemadanda buried with military honours
National hero Ambassador Victor Matemadanda has been laid to rest with military honours in recognition of his distinguished service during the liberation struggle and after Independence.
The burial ceremony brought to an end a life dedicated to serving the nation.
Family and friends paid their final respects by casting handfuls of soil into the grave before laying wreaths.
