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“Above all, with the land that has since come back into the hands of its true, rightful owners, and this after so long a painful wait, I am sure Josiah today celebrates with us the resolution of this age old grievance, celebrates with us the settlement finally of this grievance of all grievances for our people. But again, he wants us to fend for those who have got the land so they prosper sustainably,” he said.
The President said he was sure that the late national hero was keenly seeing and following what the Government sought to do through its policy of indigenisation and economic empowerment.
“He urges us on, all the time exhorting us to use that policy to effectively restore to the masses their material dignity, indeed their place and voice in the national economy. We hear his voice daily saying Zimbabwe’s resources belong to its people. We dare not let him down, we dare not trash his dreams of all those who fell in the war of liberation.”
The country, he said, owed a lot to families of departed comrades and those of surviving ones.
“Truthfully, Government programmes meant to fend for widows and children of our departed heroes, meant to give our surviving veterans substantial wherewithal, have not gone far enough, have not met some of their basic needs,” he said.
“This nation owes a lot to those who sacrificed for its coming into being. I thank the Ministry of Defence for its forward looking gesture, hoping we can build on programmes such as this one, in memory of all our heroes.”
The President lauded Cde Tongogara’s widow, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Angeline Tongogara, for launching the Foundation in memory of her husband.
“The Foundation must make Tongo a living legacy, a living tissue of those values and ideals that liberated us, indeed values and ideals that must continue to inspire our nation. He deserves the honour.”
Chairperson of the Foundation, Dr Simbi Mubako, said the reason for the existence of the institution was to perpetuate the memory and honour of Cde Tongogara’s great life and pass on the legacy of dedication and patriotism to younger generations.
He said over the years, the day used to be a low-key commemoration attended by family and church members, who would conduct a church service, but the Foundation has teamed up and pooled resources to have it on a wider circle.
“The objective is to promote the national character of the events and it is our hope and plan to expand such a programme in years to come,” he said.
Yesterday’s event started with the laying of wreaths at the National Heroes’ Acre where Cde Tongogara’s remains were interred.
Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander, General Constantine Chiwenga read Minister Mnangagwa’s speech while Airforce of Zimbabwe Commander, Air Marshal Perence Shiri read Gen Chiwenga’s speech.
It was then followed with the main event at KGVI where several Government officials, friends and relatives attended.
Mai Tongogara lit 33 candles signifying the number of years that have passed since the death of the national hero.
The event was attended by Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu, Secretary in the Ministry, Mr George Charamba, Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, senior Government officials and diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter