adminHerald Reporter
Liberation heroine Cde Sylvia Rutsito Masiyazi, who died on Monday in Harare was buried at the Harare Provincial Heroes Acre yesterday. Cde Masiyazi (56) whose Chimurenga name was Cde Kudzai, succumbed to a spinal cord injury she sustained in a car accident while travelling from Mutoko on September 13. In her graveside speech, Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province Cde Miriam Chikukwa described Cde Maziyazi as a freedom fighter who did a lot in liberating the country.
Cde Masiyazi was born on February 2, 1958 in a family of 10. She attended Chipfuko Primary School where she completed her studies in 1971. In 1975, she met Cde Richard Katsande who was a political activist who introduced her to the liberation struggle before she left for Tembwe, Mozambique.
Cde Masiyazi received military training in 1976 and her duty was to look after ammunition.
She left for Chimoio in 1977 where she met other female combatants and was also in charge of the ammunition at Zvidozvevanhu camp. After the famous Chimoio attack, the camp was abandoned and Musatwa was established in 1977 and Cde Masiyazi continued with her responsibilities.
She met her husband Cde Ferris Masiyazi in 1977 and after falling pregnant she went to Osibisia Camp where expecting mothers stayed. In 1980, she returned home at Chishawasha and in 1981 she opted for civilian life.
Cde Masiyazi is survived by her husband Ferris, five children and six grandchildren.
Online Reporter