Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere
Senior Reporter
THE late former Vice President and national hero Dr Simon Vengai Muzenda was a fearless revolutionary whose lifelong commitment to Zimbabwe’s liberation and development continues to inspire present and future generations, President Mnangagwa has said.
He made the remarks in a message yesterday commemorating the 23rd anniversary of Cde Muzenda’s death.
Cde Muzenda, who was born on October 28, 1922, died on September 20, 2003.
In his message, President Mnangagwa said the nation joined the Muzenda family in commemorating the veteran nationalist, who devoted his life to the struggle against colonial rule.
“The late Cde Muzenda, who passed away on 20th September 2003, was a fearless freedom fighter and revolutionary who devoted his entire adult life to the liberation of his Motherland from colonial bondage,” said President Mnangagwa.
Despite imprisonment by the racist settler regime, President Mnangagwa said, Cde Muzenda’s resolve for a free Zimbabwe remained unbreakable.
“Imprisonment by the ruthless colonial regime, his resolve to free his people and country remained unbroken and a source of inspiration to his comrades-in-arms and the masses.”
The President described the late former Vice President’s resilience as a source of inspiration to fellow freedom fighters and the masses during the liberation struggle.
Following independence in 1980, Cde Muzenda became Zimbabwe’s inaugural Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, positions he held until 1987. He subsequently served as Vice President from 1987 until his death in 2003.
President Mnangagwa said Cde Muzenda played an important role in rebuilding and uniting a country emerging from the liberation war.
“In these portfolios, he played a pivotal role in uniting and building a nation emerging from armed conflict,” he said.
“He ardently championed the Land Reform Programme, and his commonsensical approach to issues contributed immensely to socio-economic transformation of rural communities and the empowerment of the previously downtrodden indigenous majority in a liberated, independent and democratic Zimbabwe.
“As the ‘Soul of the Nation’, and a down-to-earth politician who always championed practical solutions to challenges, Cde Muzenda personified Africanness and eloquently preached unity, peace, love and patriotism at every platform,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said the late Vice President’s legacy remained particularly relevant today, as Zimbabwe implements the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and pursues rural industrialisation towards Vision 2030, to become an upper middle class economy.
“As we implement the National Development Strategy 2, and as we focus on Rural Industrialisation, we re-dedicate ourselves to preserving the legacy of Cde Muzenda and other towering revolutionaries of his time and of our Nation,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President said the memory of Cde Muzenda should continue to inspire Zimbabweans to value their cultural heritage and freedom while working to improve the lives of rural communities.
Cde Muzenda was one of the prominent figures of Zimbabwe’s nationalist movement and liberation struggle and remained an influential political figure after independence.
President Mnangagwa concluded his message by honouring the late national hero as a veteran nationalist, liberator and cultural icon.
“May the soul of the late veteran nationalist, liberator and cultural icon, Cde Simon Vengai Muzenda, rest in eternal peace,” he said.
