Online Reporter
Freedom Mupanedemo
Midlands Bureau
At about 1.30pm yesterday, a hovering helicopter carrying the remains of the late National Hero, Cde Victor Matemadanda, sent thick clouds of dust and other loose pieces of shrubbery into the air as it landed on open ground in Gokwe Centre near Cheziya Hall.
Unperturbed by the choking blanket of dust that ensued, hordes of people from across Midlands Province who had gathered to receive their son of the soil continued to sing, some wailing, some ululating and some consoling the immediate family as the body was lowered into a hearse before it found its way to Cheziya Hall.
The hall was too small to accommodate the thousands of people from across the province who had come together to bid farewell to their hero.
A once vibrant and vocal Secretary-General of the War Veterans, Cde Matemadanda, who was Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique and Eswatini, died in Harare on Sunday following a short illness.
He was then declared a national hero.
Cheziya Hall became a theatre of speeches as speaker after speaker praised the Second Republic and, in particular, President Mnangagwa for conferring Cde Matemadanda with National Hero status.
Family members, friends, war veterans, political leaders and residents all paid tribute to the fallen hero, describing his demise as a great loss to the nation.
Family representative, Mr Tapera Mugoriya, described the late national hero as a father figure and unifier.
“We have lost a father figure, a unifier and a leader who taught communities the importance of development through love and togetherness,” said Mr Mugoriya.
ZANU PF Midlands Provincial Chairperson, Cde Edson Chiherenge, said the province had lost a committed cadre whose contribution to the nation would remain etched in history.
“As a province, we have lost a dedicated cadre who gave his all for the nation and for the people. We are grateful to President Mnangagwa for this honour as he becomes the first son of Gokwe to be laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre,” said Cde Chiherenge.
National Housing Minister Professor Paul Mavhima said Matemadanda’s humility distinguished him throughout his life.
“What I deeply remember about him is his humility and his willingness to take up new challenges. He had a strong desire to continuously learn and improve himself,” said Prof Mavhima.
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, said the late ambassador’s legacy would endure for generations.
“He is a man who will be remembered for his sacrifice and dedication to duty in the various capacities in which he served the nation,” said Minister Ncube.
Matemadanda, who was elected Member of Parliament for Gokwe Central Constituency in 2018, was widely respected for his service as a liberation war veteran, legislator, diplomat and community leader.
The conferment of National Hero status has been warmly received across Midlands Province, with many describing it as recognition of a life dedicated to the liberation struggle, public service and national development.
His body has since been airlifted to Sanyati where it will lie in state before being taken to Harare for burial at the National Heroes Acre.
