Honour our heroes: Mudarikwa

Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa addresses people during the official unveiling of a plaque at Katiyo Base Shrine in Murehwa at the weekend

Herald Reporter
Zimbabweans should continue to honour heroes that sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence, Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province Simbaneuta Mudarikwa has said.
He was speaking during a memorial and unveiling of tombstones for nine female liberation war collaborators who were killed in a raid at Katiyo Base in Uzumba on March 9, 1979.

“As people from Uzumba, we have been very resolute in the defence of our sovereignty and fight for independence ever since the first group of fighters came to this area.

“Since then, we have stood resolute behind our party Zanu-PF and President Mugabe and this is what we should maintain to honour people like these young girls who perished for the cause of the nation,” he said.

Zanu-PF’s emphatic victory in last year’s harmonised elections was testimony to the faith people have in the party and its leadership, he said.
“After the debacle of 2008 the whole country rallied behind President Mugabe last year resulting in the overwhelming victory we witnessed and as a people, we should ensure that we do not witness a similar result like we had in 2008,” he said.

The girls were killed at the base when they had brought food to the guerrillas.
They included Rose Dzemwa, Jecha Chasakara, Loveness Dera, Mazvita Mandaza, Chipo Chimwaza, Rumbidzai Magora, Gladys Chenje, Sophia Nyakabangwe and Taurai Zhanda.

Mashonaland East Zanu-PF Provincial Youth chairman Cde Luckson Kandemiri, urged youths to emulate the girls who had exhibited immense bravery.

“Our country needs youths who are prepared to fight and die for their heritage. We should all follow the example set by these girls who were not afraid to carry out the tasks they were asked to besides the dangers they would face.

“That is the kind of commitment we need today for the various programmes that Government has set to succeed,” Cde Kandemiri said.
A musical gala where musicians including Nicholas Zakaria, Allan Chimbetu, Romeo Gasa among others played, was also held as part of the commemorations.