President Mnangagwa hailed over Mbedzi hero status

Thupeyo Muleya

Beitbridge Bureau

PEOPLE from Matabeleland South province have hailed President Mnangagwa and the Second Republic for conferring national hero status on the late nationalist and Beitbridge’s liberation struggle icon, Cde John Mbedzi, whose declaration was posthumously done last week.

Many of the senior leaders from the province who attended the conferment ceremony at the late national hero’s family house in Beitbridge on Friday said Cde Mbedzi deserved the credit.

He died in Beitbridge on June 13, 1987, and his remains were interred at his homestead in Matshiloni village, some 40km north of the border town.

Cde Mbedzi was in and out of prison in the 1960s for sabotage and later crossed into Zambia to join the liberation struggle.

He operated in ZAPU’s publicity department and used radio to mobilise youths to join the struggle.

Cde Mbedzi’s widow, Cde Rennie Kibi, said: “This is exciting news and true to its promises, the Second Republic continues to recognise and give due respect to the gallant sons and daughters of this country who dedicated their lives to liberating Zimbabwe.”

The late icon’s eldest son and ex-detainee, Mr Sobusa Mbedzi, who was detained together with his father, said: “My father played a huge role as the then-Matabeleland South chairperson under ZANU to mobilise resources for the setting up of the party’s headquarters in Harare.”

Fellow freedom fighter Cde Evelyn Ndlovu, who is also Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, described Cde Mbedzi as a dedicated liberator who deserved to be conferred with national hero status.

ZANU PF’s Council of Elders member Ambassador Aaron Maboyi said: “I am humbled by the President’s commitment to the people’s cause. How many people can be remembered after more than 30 years? This is astute true leadership.”