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Cde Nyashanu (84), whose Chimurenga name was Cde Ndazo Nyangira (Sharp Shooter), was declared a national hero after he succumbed to hypertension-induced cardiac failure.
His body lay in state at a Harare funeral parlour last night and will be taken to Stodart Hall in Mbare for body viewing early this morning.
The body will then be taken to the National Heroes’ Acre for burial at 10am.
The body of Cde Nyashanu, who is a former PF-Zapu deputy secretary-general and former MP for Buhera North constituency, was handed over to the State yesterday following a church service conducted by Rev Titus Murefu of AFM at the hero’s Chinerembe Farm in Beatrice.
Scores of people witnessed the handover of the body, with many describing Cde Nyashanu as a true revolutionary who toiled for the liberation of Zimbabwe.
Chivi-Mwenezi Senator and former governor for Masvingo Cde Josiah Hungwe, who was at the farm, consoled the family, saying death was unavoidable.
“While we mourn, we should also bear in mind that the widow who remains behind is not alone but with God,” said Senator Hungwe.
A friend to the Nyashanu family, Brigadier Etherton Shungu, described the late Cde Nyashanu as a “serious” fighter of colonialism.
“He joined politics during the struggle for independence and remained in politics after independence,” he said.
“He participated fully in the Unity Accord that saw Zanu-PF and former Zapu coming together.
“He contributed a lot to the land reform exercise and was a serious fighter against colonialism.”
Family spokesperson and son to the late hero, Mr Matenga Nyashanu, said Cde Nyashanu’s involvement in the liberation struggle was a difficult situation characterised by detention, but it shaped the family’s pride for the independence of the country.
“At a very tender age we already knew what the struggle of independence was all about. Our father went through a lot,” he said. “At 84 he was still willing to participate in the politics of the country by following all the meetings .”-The Sunday Mail
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