Online Reporter
Harmony Agere
Online Writer
President Mnangagwa has hailed the late national hero Ambassador Victor Matemadanda as a steadfast patriot and dedicated servant whose contribution to the liberation struggle, national politics and diplomacy will continue to inspire future generations.
Speaking at Ambassador Matemadanda’s burial at the National Heroes Acre in Harare this morning, President Mnangagwa said the country has lost a loyal revolutionary whose unwavering commitment to the ideals of the liberation struggle remained evident throughout his life.
“It was therefore with immense shock and sadness that I received the news of his passing on last Saturday, the 20th of June, at Parirenyatwa Hospital,” he said. “His demise is a blow to our nation and we grieve this loss.
“On behalf of our revolutionary mass party, Zanu PF, the people and Government of Zimbabwe, that of my family and indeed on my behalf, I once again extend heartfelt condolences to the Matemadanda family.”
The President recalled his final meeting with Ambassador Matemadanda during his visit to Eswatini in April this year.
“In April 2026, I was in Eswatini to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the coronation of King Mswati III,” he said.
“Ambassador Cde Matemadanda received me and accompanied me throughout the event.
“As per tradition, we shared a meal, laughed and reminisced about the days of the struggle, departed comrades, as well as views on how we could grow relations with the countries where he was accredited Ambassador.
“He later saw me off as I returned home. Unbeknownst to me, that was the last meal we would share, the last handshake and the last goodbye, as I bid him farewell.”
President Mnangagwa described the late Ambassador as a principled revolutionary whose ideological conviction never wavered.
“Our late national hero, Cde Victor Matemadanda, was unwavering in his ideological clarity, patriotism and loyalty to the values of the liberation struggle,” said the President.
“He answered the call of our national armed struggle and remained fiercely dedicated to the complete economic liberation of Zimbabwe.
“We have lost a leader whose indelible legacy will serve as guidance to future generations. In honour of his gallantry, patriotism and dedicated service to our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, as well as our party Zanu PF, we inter him here at this national shrine alongside other heroes and heroines who consistently defended the sacred flame of the liberation struggle and independence.”
The President traced Ambassador Matemadanda’s journey from his birth in Gokwe in 1960 to his upbringing in Zambia, saying his story reflected the sacrifices made by Zimbabwean families living in neighbouring countries during the liberation struggle.
“As part of the Zimbabwean migrant community that had settled in Zambia, the late Cde Matemadanda abandoned the relatively stable migrant life to join the struggle.
“He helped in the mobilisation of vital support for freedom fighters and refugees in camps across Zambia and Mozambique.
“Due to his evident courage and bravery, our late national hero was directly involved in frontline operations tasked with managing the transportation of war materiel for Zanla.”
President Mnangagwa said despite sustaining injuries during the war, Ambassador Matemadanda remained committed to the liberation cause.
“In 1979, he was deployed to Takawira Sector,” he said. “During a fierce enemy attack on his detachment, Cde Matemadanda was wounded and evacuated back to Mozambique for medical treatment. Undeterred by injuries, he was redeployed to the battlefront and operated in Mudzi.
“During our country’s historic transition to black majority rule, he served within the Zanla Commissariat Department, where his duties included the mobilisation of grassroots support to vote during the 1980 general elections.”
President Mnangagwa said Ambassador Matemadanda continued serving the country after lndependence through the Zimbabwe National Army, Government and Zanu PF.
“At Independence, Cde Matemadanda was integrated into the Zimbabwe National Army. In the military, he mastered discipline, command and an unyielding sense of duty and patriotism to our country,” said the President.
“On retirement from the military, the late national hero was instrumental in mobilising grassroots support for Zanu PF. He helped in building party structures not only in Gokwe, but across the whole country,” he said.
The national hero went on to hold the offices of National Political Commissar, Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, and Member of Parliament for Gokwe Central.
President Mnangagwa said Ambassador Matemadanda remained committed to improving the welfare of war veterans and championed self-reliance through productive work.
“As Secretary-General for the War Veterans Association, he did not believe in the ‘begging bowl syndrome’. He promoted hard, honest work, tilling the land as a sustainable avenue to total economic emancipation and an improved quality of life for all our people.”
