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The Herald, 11 August 1982
THE Deputy Prime Minister, Cde Simon Muzenda, told several thousand people at the Holy Cross Mission yesterday that the late Cde Leopold Takawira was a fearless leader who recruited young Zimbabweans into the liberation struggle.
He was addressing people who watched the exhumation of the remains of the late Cde Takawira for reburial at Heroes Acre today.
He added that Cde Takawira was a shepherd and those who met him were influenced by his politics and his personal qualities of leadership.
“We need a lot more Takawiras for Zimbabwe to succeed as an Independent nation,” he said.
“Cde Takawira had been refused medical treatment for diabetes for two years.”
He said that a few days before he died Cde Takawira told his colleagues, “ . . . if only I could be allowed to go to hospital I would survive, but Lardner-Burke (former Minister of Justice, Law and Order) does not want me to go to hospital”.
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Gweru, the Very Reverend Chiginya conducted the ceremony.
Also present were Cabinet Ministers from Victoria Province and other senior Government and Zanu (PF) officials.
The road from the mission was lined for nearly 20km by thousands of mourners and was decorated with flowers.
The Youth Brigade accompanied the cortège on the road to Chivhu.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Leopold Takawira (1916-1970), popularly known as “Shumba yeChirumanzi”, and Zanu’s Vice President, is a breed fit for the hall of fame of nationalists that spearheaded the Second Chimurenga.
Together with his colleagues in both Zanu and Zapu, they created a roadmap that should see Zimbabweans enjoying the fruits of the liberation struggle through its rich land and vast natural and mineral resources. It is the responsibility of the current generation to fulfil the dreams of nationalists like Takawira.
From 1964-1970, he was detained at Sikombela by the Rhodesians, together with Robert Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo, Ndabaningi Sithole and Edgar Tekere.
National Heroes Day is a time to pay tribute to these gallant sons and daughters of the soil, for daring the Empire and winning the struggle, although the Empire does not want to give up the fight.
His wife Sunny Ntombiyelanga Takawira is among the national heroines buried at the Heroes Acre.
Online Reporter