Online Reporter
President Mnangagwa
ON behalf of our revolutionary party ZANU PF, Government and the people of Zimbabwe and indeed on my behalf, I express my deepest heartfelt condolences to Amai Chimwaza and family over the passing on of the late Brigadier-General (Retd) Mark Charles Chimwaza, “Comrade Paddington Chafachaora”.
Your loss is shared by the whole nation.
May you continue to find solace and comfort from the knowledge that our dearly departed General Officer served our motherland, Zimbabwe, with patriotism and loyalty as a veteran of the liberation struggle and distinguished career soldier.
Alongside others, he sacrificed towards the freedom, independence, peace and unity our country is enjoying.
Accordingly, we lay him to rest here, at this sacred national shrine, beside luminaries, heroes and heroines of our great country.
This is our way of expressing national gratitude for his sacrifice, unwavering consistency and persistence in service to our country.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
As the brutality of the racist Smith regime escalated, our protracted armed struggle equally gathered momentum and the quest for liberation saturated across all grassroots communities.
The politics about majority rule, freedom and independence and right to self-determination became topical subjects at several schools.
The late national hero was among the breed of youth who abandoned school and crossed into neighbouring countries to join the liberation struggle.
Born in 1957 in Mutare district, Manicaland province, the late Brigadier-General (Retd) Mark Charles Chimwaza did his early education at Kurauone and Banda primary schools respectively.
He proceeded to St Mary’s Magdalene Secondary School in Nyanga from 1972 to 1976.
He then made the crucial decision to join the struggle.
Upon arrival in Mozambique, the late “Cde Paddington Chafachaora” stayed at Doroi Camp, after which he went on to Chimoio for initial military training at Takawira Two in 1977.
It was during his military training at Chimoio when the camp was attacked by the racist Rhodesian forces.
That tragic and brutal bombing never deterred or derailed our liberation fighters.
The sad chapter of the Chimoio attack, among other occurrences during the liberation struggle, remain inspiring landmarks of our unyielding courage, resilience and fortitude as the sons and daughters of Zimbabwe.
I urge more of our people, especially the youth across all levels, to deliberately visit the various historic liberation war shrines.
This will provide insights into what the young people of yesteryear endured to bring about the freedom, sovereignty and independence, which we must never take for granted.
The youth, along with the rest of our rural and urban populations, made conscious decisions to fight or support the liberation struggle.
Similarly, today, under the National Development Strategy 2, our country enters a critical stretch towards the realisation of Vision 2030.
All of us, the present generation, sons and daughters of Zimbabwe, must play our part to achieve an upper middle-income economy — a developed, modern, industrialised and prosperous society.
Every community contributed to our independence.
Let us now, community by community, ward by ward and district by district, sector by sector and enterprise by enterprise, contribute to the Zimbabwe we all want.
In 1978, the late national hero went to Tembwe to complete his military training.
Upon completion, he was deployed to Maputo, where his role included providing security duties to the residence of the leadership of our liberation movement.
Our war-time commanders during the liberation struggle were always aware that military agility, preparedness and effectiveness are crucial, not only to execute the struggle, but to prepare for the changing dynamics during war and indeed for seasons of peace.
This rich ethos stands embedded in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to this day.
It was upon this background that many freedom fighters went to faraway lands for further specialised military training, provided by friends and allies of our struggle.
In late 1979, the late Brigadier-General (Retd) Chimwaza was among other cadres selected for further military training in Romania. He specialised in Field Artillery until 1982.
He returned from Romania and was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army in August 1982.
Our late national hero had an illustrious military career and undertook several military career courses in line with his ranks.
He also pursued and attained other qualifications, which include in the fields of war and strategic studies, education and training, as well as in agriculture.
The late departed General Officer held several military appointments during his service, and these included the following: Platoon Commander; Battalion Intelligence Officer; Adjutant and Staff Officer Grade 3 at One Presidential Guards Battalion, among others.
He also served within the Protocol Department of the Zimbabwe National Army Headquarters.
His loyalty, patriotism, professionalism and dedication to duty saw him rising through the ranks from private in 1982 to Colonel in 2018.
As Commander-in-Chief, I promoted him to the rank of Brigadier-General in August 2021.
Due to his selflessness and exemplary service to the nation, the late General Officer was awarded the following medals: Liberation Medal, Independence of Zimbabwe; Ten Years’ Service Medal; Long and Exemplary Service Medal; Mozambique Campaign Medal; DRC Campaign Medal; Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.
Our departed national hero remained a trustworthy, dependable, reliable and consistent cadre who availed himself for any assignment.
As 2025 comes to an end, let us always remember and honour the sacrifices of many departed and living heroes of our country.
The duty is now on us to continue building on existing foundations by defending and advancing our shared national development aspirations.
Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo.
It is commendable that sustained national cohesion and unity of purpose have seen us achieve successes and improve the quality of life of our people under the National Development Strategy 1.
Under the whole-of-Government-and-society approach, through unity and hard, honest work, the National Development Strategy 2 will also accomplish extraordinary milestones.
The festive season is upon us; we are reminded of the love of Almighty God who gave us the gift of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
With that “God kind of love”, I challenge us to show love towards one another, within our families, communities and across the nation as a whole.
In our celebrations, may we also remember those among us who have less, especially widows, the elderly, vulnerable and orphans.
Let us always share; that is who we are as Zimbabweans and Africans.
I direct those in the security sector to remain on high alert and vigilant.
Yours are duties that have no holiday or rest.
The nation looks to you to watchfully guard our peace and security, as well as the prevailing unity and tranquil environment.
I also call upon all communities to protect the unity and harmony which is evident in all parts of our country.
Let us reject shenanigans and mischief by detractors bent on derailing our ongoing national development and harmony.
We are all urged to celebrate the festivities with discipline and restraint, shunning drug and substance abuse. We must be disciplined at all times, loyal, patriotic and committed to our motherland, Zimbabwe.
These are the lessons and inspiration we draw from the dearly departed national hero, along with many other heroes and heroines who waged the protracted liberation struggle, as well as those who diligently served our motherland in the post-independence years.
As we lay to rest the late national hero, Brigadier-General (Retd) Mark Charles Chimwaza, here at this revered national shrine, I say to him, Famba zvakanaka mwana wevhu/Hamba kahle mntwana wenhlabathi.
Go well son of the soil.
Zorora murugare gamba redu.
Lala ngokuthula qhawe lamaqhawe.
Rest in eternal peace, our General Officer.
God bless you all.
God bless Zimbabwe.
I thank you!
Tinaye Agere