Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere
Herald Reporter
Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has described Mrs Sikhubekiso Mangena, the widow of national hero and former Commander of the Zimbabwe Peoples’ Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), Cde Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena, as a symbol of resilience in supporting her husband while he waged the fight against colonial oppression.
Mrs Mangena died on Sunday in Bulawayo at the age of 69 after battling asthma-related complications.
She is survived by her son Lotshe and nine grandchildren.
The Acting President said Mrs Mangena was a symbol of resilience, standing steadfast alongside her husband during the liberation struggle.
“It was with a great sense of sadness and loss that I learnt of the passing of Mrs Sikhubekiso Mangena (nee Madeya), widow of the late National Hero, former Commander of the Zimbabwe Peoples’ Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), Cde Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena,” said Acting President Chiwenga.
“Mrs Mangena belonged to a rare breed of brave women who stood resolutely behind their spouses during the execution of the war of liberation against the oppressive settler regime, which had brought racial segregation and untold suffering upon the masses.
“Her late husband, one of the pioneers of the armed struggle, was brutally assassinated in a Rhodesian-planted landmine explosion near Kabanga Mission in Southern Zambia in 1978.
“His death brought indescribable suffering and agony upon a young widow, now left with the burden of two toddlers, Lotshe, aged two years, and Leila, who was only one year old,” said Acting President Chiwenga.
Despite being the wife of a prominent liberation stalwart, Mrs Mangena contributed to the struggle for independence through her resource mobilisation efforts.
While studying in the then Soviet Union to become a teacher, she continued to support the liberation movement.
Mrs Mangena played a vital role in assisting freedom fighters, ensuring they had the necessary resources to carry on the fight for Zimbabwe’s independence.
The Acting President said while in the Soviet Union, she met and interacted with the families of other liberation stalwarts such as the late Vice President Dr Joshua Nkomo, Cde Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo, Cde Steven Vuma, and Cde Sam Mfakazi, who was also her brother-in-law.
“Mrs Mangena used her strength in resource mobilisation to wholeheartedly support her husband in the struggle,” said Acting President Chiwenga.
“While she did not physically take up arms to fight, she played a pivotal role in keeping the war front fully supplied with the much-needed logistics, which she and others like her mopped up from well-wishers in various places.”
“Having married a hero whose destiny was to liberate the long-suffering people of Zimbabwe, Mrs Mangena found herself in a foreign land, where she resided together with other greats like the late Hebert Chitepo in the suburb of Chilenje in Zambia,” he said.
“In affirmation of her inner strength and courage, Mrs Mangena stood up to the task that came with being a spouse to a legend who was constantly away from home, strategising and fighting for the liberation of his people.
“Despite the fact that she did not spend much time with her illustrious husband due to the demands of the liberation struggle, Mrs Mangena ensured that the family was kept going during her husband’s absence,” the Acting President said.
He said Mrs Mangena knew and accepted the painful fact that her husband did not only belong to her and their two children but also belonged to Zimbabwe and had dedicated himself to the liberation of this great country.
“Of note was the indispensable role she played in assisting freedom fighters who had been injured and those in need of medical attention.”
After the death of her husband in 1978, Mrs Mangena was awarded a scholarship to study in the then Soviet Union to become a kindergarten teacher.
Even though the death of her husband affected her deeply, it did not dampen her resolve to support the liberation movement.
Mrs Mangena took the international platform that her study in Russia provided to intensify her resource mobilisation efforts in support of the comrades back home.
She returned to Zimbabwe in 1983 and worked as a kindergarten teacher in Bulawayo. Acting President Chiwenga extended condolences on behalf of President Mnangagwa, the ruling ZANU (PF) party, and the Government, urging the Mangena family to find solace in knowing that the entire nation mourns with them.
“May I, on behalf of His Excellency President Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, the ruling party ZANU (PF), Government, my family, and indeed on my own behalf, express my deepest condolences to the Mangena family over this painful and great loss,” he said.
“May the Mangena family take comfort in the knowledge that the entire nation of Zimbabwe joins them in mourning Mrs Mangena.”
