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Brigadier General (Retired) Shadreck Dingaan Ndabambi who collapsed at his farm and died at Bindura General Hospital on August 28, 2024, was the epitome of discipline, commitment and patriotism.
Known by his Chimurenga name of Dingani Kimati, Brig-Gen (Rtd) Ndabambi was born on December 1, 1956 at Mutoko Hospital. He was the seventh child in a family of 10 children. His home area was in the Midlands Province, Kwekwe District under Chief Malisa and Headman Hlabo. His parents were Elijah Jappie Ndabambi and Monica Chiwenyu Ndabambi nee Matutururu.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Ndabambi attended primary schooling at Mutoko Primary School in 1962 in Mutoko before transferring to Kotwa Primary School in Mudzi where his father had been moved under the then Ministry of Roads. He proceeded for his secondary education at Avilla Mission in Katerere where he did Form One and later transferred to All Souls Mission in Mutoko for his Form Two.
In 1974, Brig-Gen (Rtd) Ndabambi enrolled at Ranch House College in Harare for his Ordinary Level. It was when he was at Ranch House College that the young Shadreck Dingaan Ndabambi got exposed to politics of the liberation struggle.
It did not take long for the young Shadreck Ndabambi to be conscientised to appreciate the need for the country to attain independence from colonial oppression. After only a year at Ranch House College, the young Shadreck Ndabambi teamed up with other four boys and left college for the liberation struggle on March 3, 1975.
The journey to join the armed liberation struggle was not easy as the teenagers had to walk the long walk to Mozambique during the night to evade detection from colonial authorities. Together they crossed the border into Mozambique through Gaerezi River in the Nyamaropa area.
Upon arrival in Mozambique, Brig-Gen (Rtd) Ndabambi and his friends briefly stayed at Seguranza Frelimo Base where they were joined by the late former President Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Cde Edgar Tekere. While in Mozambique, Brig-Gen (Rtd) Ndabambi stayed at several base camps that included Katandika, Junta, Chimoio, Nyadzonya and lastly Tembe in Tete Province where he received military training in 1976.
After completing his military training, Brig-Gen (Rtd) Ndabambi was deployed in the Manica Province, Munhumutapa Sector under the Mutambara Detachment as a Section Security. He operated in Mutambara Detachment for one and half years before getting injured in 1977. His injury forced him to be repatriated back to Chimoio Base, where he received medical treatment.
When the Smith regime attacked Chimoio Base, Cde Ndabambi was taken to Soalap Base where the injured comrades from Chimoio were being kept. He was later assigned to work in the late General Josiah Magama Tongogara’s office at ZANLA headquarters in Gondola where he was responsible for drawing operational and cartographic materials that were being used in the front.
During the ceasefire period, Cde Ndabambi was among the comrades who remained in Mozambique at ZANLA headquarters safeguarding all ZANLA forces’ war material and documents. He later left Mozambique for Zimbabwe in 1981 and was selected to join the Zimbabwe National Army.
He was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army on September 8, 1981 and served under 53 Infantry Battalion. From 53 Infantry Battalion, he was posted to the Ministry of Intelligence Directorate in 1982.
For the greater part of his service in the ZNA, Brig-Gen (Rtd) Ndabambi was with the Corps of Military Police until 2012 when he was seconded and deployed at the National Railways of Zimbabwe headquarters in Bulawayo. In 2013, he was promoted to the rank of colonel. He continued working with the NRZ in their security department until 2021. He was then promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and retired from the ZNA in the same year.
He then relocated and settled at his farm in Glendale, Mashonaland Central where he became a successful farmer. Brig Gen Ndabambi is survived by his wife Seria Ndabambi and two children.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Ndabambi was conferred with the National Hero status by President Mnangagwa owing to his immense contribution to the country during and after the liberation struggle.
Mourners are gathered at Plot 7, Virginia Farm in Glendale.
Online Reporter