dyton mupawaenda
Richard Muponde-Zimpapers Politics Hub
AS the ruling ZANU PF party gathers in Mutare this week for its 22nd Annual National People’s Conference, the air is heavy with both mourning and reflection.
Just a day before the start of this major political event, Zimbabwe lays to rest one of its most illustrious sons, Brigadier-General (Retired) Mpandasekwa Mzheri, whose Chimurenga name was Khetani Khanye.
His burial came as the Politburo, led by President Mnangagwa, prepared to convene in Harare, tomorrow, carrying with them the sombre spirit of farewell to a man who helped forge the very independence whose fruits the conference seeks to protect and expand.
At 75, Brig-Gen Mzheri’s death marks the passing of yet another pillar of the liberation generation, men and women who risked their lives to dismantle the brutal architecture of colonialism and white minority rule under the apartheid-aligned Ian Douglas Smith regime.
His conferment of National Hero status was not a ceremonial gesture, it was a recognition of a life wholly dedicated to the defence and building of Zimbabwe.
Early Life and the Call to Liberation
Born on March 7, 1950, in Mberengwa District, Midlands Province, Cde Mzheri grew up during a time when Zimbabwe, then Rhodesia, was gripped by racial injustice, land dispossession and economic exclusion.
Like many young men of his generation, he was inspired by the rising tide of African nationalism sweeping across the continent.
His decision to join the liberation struggle was not driven by personal ambition, but by a deep seated conviction that his generation had a duty to free their people from colonial bondage.
In 1974, he was among the group of 800 cadres who underwent rigorous military training at Morogoro Training Camp in Tanzania.
There, he trained under some of the most respected commanders of the liberation struggle, including the now Commander Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda (Ananias Gwenzi), and Brigadier-General (Retired) Abel Mazinyane.
His dedication, discipline and quick mastery of guerrilla tactics marked him out as a future leader. Recognising his potential, the movement sent him to the Soviet Union for advanced leadership training, a rare honour that underscored his emerging strategic acumen.
A Commander and Statesman of the Liberation Struggle
Brig-Gen Mzheri’s leadership qualities came to the fore during the later stages of the liberation war. His Chimurenga name, Khetani Khanye, became synonymous with courage and tactical brilliance in operations against the colonial forces.
By 1979, as the war intensified and negotiations loomed, he was part of the military advisory team at the Lancaster House Peace Talks, a historic mission that shaped the future of Zimbabwe.
His presence at those negotiations symbolised the respect he commanded within the liberation ranks, a commander equally adept at the gun and at the table of diplomacy.
Building the Zimbabwe National Army
At Independence in 1980, Brig-Gen Mzheri stood among the torchbearers of a new era. On April 16, 1981, he became one of the first 18 ex-combatants to be attested into the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), entering at the rank of Colonel. He was appointed the first Commandant at Inkomo Garrison, where he played a key role in integrating former liberation fighters from ZANLA and ZIPRA with the remnants of the Rhodesian forces, a delicate and historic process that required both tact and firmness.
Throughout his distinguished military career, Brig-Gen Mzheri held several pivotal positions, Commander 3 Infantry Brigade, Commander Special Task Force Mozambique, and later Director-General Defence Policy, Public Relations and Protocol.
His leadership was instrumental in shaping Zimbabwe’s military doctrine and professional ethos.
He was part of the pioneering generation that turned the ZNA into a respected regional force, capable of executing international peacekeeping operations under the United Nations and defending regional sovereignty during the Operation Sovereign Legitimacy in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Decorated for Service and Sacrifice
Brig-Gen Mzheri’s contribution did not go unnoticed. He was the proud recipient of numerous military and national honours, among them the Liberation Medal, Independence Medal, 10 Years Service Medal, Long and Exemplary Service Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal, and the prestigious Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.
These decorations reflected not only longevity of service but also the moral integrity, discipline, and loyalty that defined his career.
After nearly two decades of service to the Zimbabwe National Army, he retired on July 31, 1999, leaving behind a legacy of professionalism and mentorship. Yet retirement did not end his service; he remained a constant advisor and voice of wisdom, offering guidance to younger officers and to national institutions whenever called upon.
A Cadre of the Second Republic
In the era of the Second Republic, Brig-Gen Mzheri continued to embody the values of loyalty and service.
He fully supported President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, whose mantra “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” (A nation is built by its own people), resonated deeply with his lifelong belief in self reliance and patriotism.
For him, nation building was not rhetoric but a continuation of the liberation struggle by peaceful means, through hard work, discipline, and unity.
Those close to him recall his passion for mentoring the youth, whom he saw as the torchbearers of posterity.
He constantly reminded them that the freedom they enjoy today was purchased at great cost and that defending it requires vigilance and commitment.
His life served as a living classroom for the values of patriotism, sacrifice, and national pride, virtues increasingly rare in an age of globalisation and social distraction.
Lessons for the Youth: Defending the Legacy
For the young people of Zimbabwe, Brig-Gen Mzheri’s life offers a profound lesson. It teaches that freedom is never free, it is earned, defended, and passed on.
The youth must understand that the liberation struggle was not only about political independence, but also about economic empowerment and cultural dignity. They are called upon to continue the mission he began, to build a prosperous, self sufficient Zimbabwe where every citizen contributes to the national vision.
In the words of ZNA Commander Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Matatu, “We must defend what they stood and fought for, Zimbabwe’s independence and sovereignty, at all costs.”
These words capture the essence of Brig-Gen Mzheri’s life, unwavering patriotism, selfless service, and enduring faith in Zimbabwe’s destiny.
A Hero’s Farewell
and the Call of History
As the 22nd ZANU PF National People’s Conference begins, the spirit of Brigadier-General Mpandasekwa Mzheri should hover over the proceedings like a guiding star.
His work, his sacrifices, and his dreams must inform the deliberations of the party and Government. The unity, discipline, and vision he embodied must remain the moral compass steering Zimbabwe toward its collective future.
He deserved his National Hero status, not for the medals he wore, but for the values he lived by.
His story is the story of Zimbabwe itself, born in struggle, forged in sacrifice, and sustained by hope.
The nation owes it to him and to others like him to observe a minute of silence at every national gathering, not just in mourning, but in renewed commitment to the ideals for which they fought. As Zimbabwe looks ahead to Vision 2030, may the example of Brig Gen Mzheri continue to inspire all who believe in the enduring truth that a nation is built, defended, and advanced by its own people.
Go Well Son of the Soil, Commander of Commanders, Rara murugare Cadre. Hamba kahle qawe lamaqawe.
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