Online Reporter
Hello Zimbabwe and welcome to our live coverage from the National Heroes Acre in Harare.
Today, President Emmerson Mnangagwa will preside over the burial of Cde Edward Raradza, who was conferred national hero status for his contribution to the country’s agricultural sector and economic development.
Cde Raradza died on Friday at the age of 79.
The national hero was a strong supporter of the “Look East Policy” as Zimbabwe sought to counter the effects of sanctions imposed by Western countries, particularly from 2002.
Our Reporter Harmony Agere and Chief Photographer Believe Nyakudjara are at the National Heroes Acre and will provide live coverage as events unfold.
Remembering Cde Raradza
Cde Raradza was a prominent politician, businessman and tobacco farmer who served as vice chairperson of the Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union.
He was involved in the country’s agricultural sector and legislative processes, representing Zanu PF as Member of Parliament for Muzarabani South after running unopposed in the 2008 elections.
Cde Raradza was also the first black Zimbabwean to establish and own a coal mining company after Zambezi Gas and Coal Mine was awarded a special grant in 2002. He served as director of Zambezi Gas and Coal Mine.
In 2011, Cde Raradza co-founded and owned Millennium Tobacco Floors, a licensed tobacco auction company operating from Msasa, Harare.
Throughout his career with the ZFU and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Cde Raradza was a vocal advocate for tobacco farmers.
He regularly lobbied the Government and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for fairer input pricing, timely access to fertiliser and better pricing structures at auction floors to protect local farmers from inflation.
Born in Murehwa on July 2, 1947, to Mateu and Derai, Cde Raradza attended St Benedict School, where he completed Standard Six.
He later attained a Journeyman Class 1 qualification in card litho printing and worked for Variprint (Pvt) Limited, rising to the position of supervisor.
His involvement in politics began in 1965 when he joined ZANU Youth. He was later detained and restricted to reporting to St Mary’s Police Station in Chitungwiza.
Cde Raradza served on the boards of several institutions, including the Grain Marketing Board and Dorowa Minerals (Pvt) Ltd.
He was chairman of Implementation and Coordination of Agricultural Research and Training in the SADC region.
A successful farmer and businessman, he received the National Farmer Award of Excellence in 2003–2004.
At the time of his death, he was executive chairman of Farmers World Holdings and managing director of Zambezi Gas Zimbabwe.
Cde Raradza made a significant contribution to the African Apostolic Church.
In 2010, during a Holy Communion gathering at Nzvimbo in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central Province, he converted to the African Apostolic Church.
Mutumwa Paul Mwazha identified him as a capable church leader, and he was made a Reverend the same year.
He subsequently supported the church and disadvantaged communities using his resources, including drilling boreholes at church stations and remote schools.
In 2022, he was promoted to the position of Bishop, which he served with distinction.
He is survived by his wife, Julia, 11 children, 26 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren
