happiness Chikwanha
09.12 – President Mnangagwa will preside over the burial of national hero Brigadier-General (Retired) Elasto Madzingira at the National Heroes in Harare today. Brig-Gen Madzingira died at his home in Greendale, Harare, at the age of 65 on August 8 after a short illness.
09.39 – Vice President Kembo Mohadi has arrived for the burial of national hero Retired Brigadier-General Elasto Madzingira
09.54 –The body of Cde Madzingira has now arrived
09.55 – President Mnangagwa has arrived at the National Heroes Acres where hundreds of Zimbabweans are gathered for the burial of late National Hero Cde Elasto Madzingira
09.56 – The funeral procession, led by religious leaders is now making its way to the stage
10.09 – Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe takes to the podium. He invites Madzingira Family representative Mrs Willia Bonyongwe to address mourners.
10.16 – Mrs Bonyongwe thanks President Mnangagwa, Government and the ZANU PF for granting Cde Elasto Madzingira national hero status. She says Cde Madzingira was hardworking and intelligent.Mrs Bonyongwe says his brother Cde Elasto Madzingira was good in school but still decided to join the liberation struggle despite enrolling for University. She says during the Liberation Struggle Cde Madzingira operated in Bikita for 5 months.
10.22 – Mrs Bonyongwe says after leaving a career in the army Cde Madzingira went into business, majoring in transport. Cde Madzingira was educationist and has left behind a well educated family.Mrs Bonyongwe ends her address.
10.27 – Zimbabweans have come in their numbers to pay their last respects to Cde Madzingira. It’s mostly sunny weather conditions here at the National shrine
10.31 –Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe back on the podium. He congratulates President Mnangagwa for assuming the SADC Chairmanship and host the 44th SADC Summit. Minister Kazembe invites President Mnangagwa to address mourners.
10.39 – President Mnangagwa is now addressing mourners. President Mnangagwa says Cde Madzingira served the army with distinction and exemplary commitment. President Mnangagwa says the colonial regime brutality led many young people like Cde Madzingira to leave the country and join the struggle. President Mnangagwa urges Zimbabweans to teach children and young people the importance of developing the country themselves saying nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.
10.49 – He says the current development drive needs the participation of young people both in the country and abroad. Cde Madzingira was trained in Mozambique and operated in various parts of the country during the war. After independence he joined the Air Force in 1985, rising to the rank of Wing commander by 1989. He retired as a Brigadier General in 1992 on medical grounds after being involved in a traffic accident. President Mnangagwa says Cde Madzingira joined the business community after leaving the army.
10.56 – Cde Madzingira, due to his work ethic received many awards including law abiding and exemplery medal. President Mnangagwa urges Zimbabweans to lead examplery life and leave a good legacy. “The SADC Chairmanship i have assumed is ours together,” – President Mnangagwa. The President congratulates Zimbabwe for successfully hosting the 44th SADC Summit. The President ends his address.
11.05 – President Mnangagwa is now handing over the national flag to Mrs Madzingira
11.06 – Meanwhile the crowd is being entertained by song and dance
11.12 – The funeral procession is now proceeding to the grave site
11.14 – President Mnangagwa following gravesite proceedings from the stage
11.42 – National hero Brigadier-General (Retired) Elasto Madzingira has been taken to his final resting place at the National Heroes Acre in Harare
11.47 – Minister Kazembe announces that the event has ended.
Online Reporter