National Hero Air Commodore Bere to be laid to rest on Monday

THE body of the late national hero Air Commodore (Retired) Simon Bere will be buried on Monday at the National Heroes Acre.

He died in Zambia, where he had been receiving medical treatment, on April 24. He was 67.
In an interview, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe confirmed the burial arrangements for Monday.

He said President Mnangagwa will preside over the burial proceedings.

“We expect mourners to be seated by exactly 7am. We are urging people to come out in their numbers to bid farewell to the gallant son of the soil who dedicated his entire life in serving the nation during and after the liberation struggle,” stated Minister Kazembe.

Meanwhile, family and friends are expected to throng Gudhure Village in Hurungwe to bid farewell to their gallant son.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage said the body will be airlifted from Charles Gumbo Barracks at 0900hrs to his rural home in Gudhure Village, near Zvimonja Primary School in Hurungwe, Mashonaland West.
On the same day, the cortege will proceed to Plot 6, Ansidale Farm near Karoi, where the late Air Commodore (Rtd) will lie in state.

On Sunday, the body of the late national hero is expected back at Charles Gumbo Barracks, where it will lie in state ahead of burial on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Burial proceedings will commence on Monday, May 4, 2026, with mourners expected to be seated by 0700hrs.
A funeral parade was held on Tuesday at Manyame Air Base in Harare in honour of his contribution to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) and national development. A funeral parade is the highest honour accorded to deceased military personnel.

Born on September 19, 1959, in Hurungwe, Air Commodore (Rtd) Bere pursued his early education at Chiroti and Matau primary schools before attending Ascot for his secondary education. Driven by the call to liberate his country, he joined the armed struggle.

Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe Air Marshal Jacob John Nzvede described Air Commodore Bere as a loyal cadre who stood for the development of the nation.

“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces and indeed the nation have lost a loyal and patriotic air officer, who dedicated his life to serving Zimbabwe.

“He has run his race well and has now passed the baton to those surviving to finish the race.

“It is therefore incumbent on us to ensure that his good deeds and hard work were not all in vain,” he said.

Air Commodore Bere was among the founding members of the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) at independence. He was among the young cadres who made the sacrifice to join the liberation struggle.

At the age of 19, in 1978, he crossed the border into Mozambique to join the liberation struggle as a ZANLA combatant. He was immediately selected to undergo training at Samacuesa Base.

After completing his training, he served in the Education Department at the rear, holding the position of detachment Political Commissar. He joined the AFZ in 1981 as an aircraftsman and completed basic military training at Field Air Force Base, now Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo Air Force Base.

He was commissioned as an officer in 1993. Thereafter, Air Commodore Bere acquired specialist skills in munitions and explosives after completing an Explosive Ordnance Disposal course. Armed with these skills, the AFZ deployed his expertise in operations in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Air Commodore Bere completed all staff and command courses commensurate with his rank and held various command and staff appointments throughout his career in the AFZ.

In 2016, he was seconded to the Ministry of War Veterans as deputy director of War Veterans Affairs before being elevated to director in 2020.

In recognition of his distinguished service, he was awarded five medals.
Throughout his military career, Air Commodore Bere played a pivotal role in shaping the professionalism and operational strength of the AFZ.

He became known for his discipline, patriotism and unwavering loyalty to the nation, qualities that earned him respect within the military and beyond.

He is survived by his wife, Regina Bere, and three children.