Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika and Lovemore Kadzura
MANICALAND Province yesterday bade farewell to national hero Cde Cosmas Chiringa, who was Permanent Secretary for Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
Cde Chiringa (67) died of heart failure at West End Hospital last Monday and is expected to be buried on Wednesday, subject to confirmation by the Office of the President and Cabinet.
President Mnangagwa is expected to officiate at the burial of one of Zimbabwe’s long-serving civil servants.
Yesterday, his body was flown from Charles Gumbo Barracks for Nyanga, Kanyuru Village under Chief Saunyama in Manicaland to afford his relatives an opportunity to pay their last respects to the seasoned public administrator.
Later in the afternoon, the body was flown to his Blexhill Farm in Rusape where hundreds of mourners from all walks of life gathered to pay their last respects to the hero.
Addressing mourners, Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Misheck Mugadza said the nation had lost a dedicated and servant leader who was committed to the development of his motherland.
He said Cde Chiringa dedicated his life as a young person to fight for the independence of his country and to develop the country in the post-independence era.
“His passing marks the end of a remarkable life defined by sacrifice, courage, service and intellectual excellence. Cde Chiringa was a wonderful blessing not only to his community here, but to Manicaland Province and our great nation at large,” he said.
“Allow me to express our deepest gratitude to President Mnangagwa for conferring national hero status on Cde Chiringa. This prestigious honour is a fitting recognition of a man whose life was devoted to the liberation, defence and development of our great nation Zimbabwe.
“As Manicaland Province, we are deeply honoured and grateful that our own son of the soil, a gallant freedom fighter and seasoned administrator, has been accorded this highest national recognition.”
Family spokesperson Mr Christopher Chiringa said the family had lost a kind man who helped many people and paid fees for several children in their community.
“We have lost a key member of the family who was reliable and dependable. He was so generous and assisted clan members financially. He wanted children to get education and he paid school fees for many children in the family and in the community,” he said.
“He put the name of the family on the map through his deeds and we would like to thank President Mnangagwa for honouring Cosmas,” said Mr Chiringa.
On Tuesday, the body is expected to be taken from Charles Gumbo Barracks to the family residence in Newlands.
It will then be taken back to Charles Gumbo Barracks to lie in state ahead of the expected burial on Wednesday.
Zanu PF Secretary for Education, Ideology and Research, who is also the Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, Charles Tawengwa, announced the conferment of national hero status to the Chiringa family at their residence in Newlands last Friday night.
He described Cde Chiringa as a patriotic cadre who served the nation with distinction both during and after the struggle for independence.
“He was a seasoned public administrator and servant of the people of Zimbabwe.
“He dedicated his life to the struggle for national independence, post-independence and public service,” said Minister Tawengwa.
Born on December 10, 1960, in Nyanga District, Cde Chiringa joined the liberation struggle at the age of 16 on September 16, 1976.
He trained at Doroi Camp before proceeding to Chimoio where he underwent further training at Takawira Base 2.
Cde Chiringa later trained at Nachingweya Camp in Tanzania under Regiment 7 before being appointed Political Commissar for Regiment 13, a role that saw him responsible for the political education and ideological orientation of cadres.
In 1979, he was deployed to the Musikavanhu Sector in Mozambique where he operated in Buhera and Gutu districts.
After independence he joined the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works in 1982 and rose steadily through the ranks, serving in several key administrative roles across the country.
His work included serving as District Administrator in Makoni, where he spearheaded the Fast Track Land Reform Programme that benefited thousands of A1 and A2 farmers.
He also played a critical role in relocating communities displaced by Osborne Dam and later oversaw the relocation of nearly 1 000 families from Chiadzwa to Odzi to pave the way for diamond mining operations.
Cde Chiringa leaves behind his wife Sherry, four children and six grandchildren. Mourners are gathered at No. 32, Victoria Road, Newlands, Harare.
