Chronicle Editor
Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Sunday News Reporter
THE late national hero and Zimbabwe Ambassador to Mozambique, Lieutenant- General (Retired) Douglas Nyikayaramba who succumbed to Covid-19 related complications last Tuesday was yesterday laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.
Addressing mourners during the burial, President Mnangagwa described Ambassador Nyikayaramba as a loyal and dedicated cadre, a philanthropist who leaves behind a legacy of humility, servant leadership and patriotism.
“On behalf of the ruling Party, Zanu-PF, Government and on my behalf, I wish to express my deep, heartfelt condolences to the Nyikayaramba Family, especially to Amai Nyikayaramba and the children. They have lost a son, brother, uncle or nephew. Above all and most hurtfully, Amai Nyikayaramba, lost a husband, a father, breadwinner and a mentor.
“From the days of the National Liberation Struggle, right through to Independence and his final hour in this life, the late National Hero, Cde Douglas Nyikayaramba was with us, indeed a comrade-in-arms. During the Liberation Struggle, we called him ‘Blessing Muhondo’. After the War of Liberation, he assumed many titles related to his changing ranks as he rose in the Military. I challenge us all to thrive to preserve, defend and protect the legacy that the late Cde Nyikayaramba ‘Blessing Muhondo’ and other heroes bequeathed to us,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also chronicled Ambassador Nyikayaramba’s liberation struggle history and his post-independence achievements. Ambassador Nyikayaramba was born on January 9, 1960 in Mutoko District in Mashonaland East Province in a family of 11.
He joined the liberation struggle in 1977 and did his training at Tembue Base Two and later at Nachingwea Training Base. He became an Instructor. He was deployed to the front, fighting in the Gaza Province where he rose to the rank of Detachment Commander.
Ambassador Nyikayaramba was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army, (ZNA) at Independence. He rose through the ranks from Lieutenant to Major-General. Upon his retirement in 2019 he was appointed Zimbabwe Ambassador to Mozambique the position he held until his untimely demise. He leaves behind wife Elina, nine children and nine grandchildren.
Online Reporter