Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo and Raymond Jaravaza Zimpapers Writers
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa will today preside over the burial of Brigadier-General (Retired) Donald Silundi Tshuma at the National Heroes’ Acre.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Tshuma died on May 15 at his Nkulumane home in Bulawayo.
He was 71.
The body of the late national hero was airlifted from Bulawayo yesterday afternoon and received in Harare at Charles Gumbo Barracks, where it lay in state ahead of burial today.
Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage acting Permanent Secretary, Colonel (Retired) Onward Tokoda, yesterday told The Herald that all arrangements for the interment were in place.
“His Excellency President Mnangagwa shall preside over the burial…everything is set,” he said.
Last week, the body was taken to Swart Village in Bubi District, Matabeleland North Province, for a family ceremony before being flown back to Bulawayo later that day, to lie in state at the family residence.
A provincial send-off ceremony was also held on Monday.
Brig-Gen (Retired) Tshuma, whose nom de guerre was Henry Silundi, became involved in politics at a young age, motivated by the injustices and racial discrimination he witnessed under the Rhodesian regime.
He was a prominent member of the ZAPU Youth League, serving as District Organising Secretary for Gwabalanda in Bulawayo. His activism subsequently drew the attention of the Rhodesian Special Branch.
Tshuma evaded arrest and crossed into Botswana in November 1976. He remained there for about a month before moving into Zambia to join the liberation struggle as a ZIPRA (Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army) cadre.
He spent a short period at the Nampundwe Transit Camp until 1977, before being sent to Mwembeshi Camp for initial military training.
After completing his training, he was deployed along the Zambezi River on the Northern Front.
In February 1978, Tshuma was among 300 cadres, including the late national hero Lieutenant-General Lookout Masuku, selected for further military training in Libya.
The training was not carried out after the Libyan government imposed a condition that the trainees convert to the Muslim faith first, which the group refused.
He stayed in Libya for a year and later returned to Zambia.
In November 1979, he and fellow trainees were selected to undergo additional military training in the union of Soviet Socialist Republics (now Russia).
He trained as a platoon commander until June 1980.
After independence, Tshuma rose through the ranks of the army. He was promoted to Captain in 1981, Major in 1982, and later to Lieutenant-Colonel in 2012.
Following his retirement in 2020, he attained the rank of Brig-Gen.
Throughout his service, he received several honours recognising his dedication and contribution to the nation, including the Liberation Medal, the Independence Medal, the Long and Exemplary Service Medal and the Commander of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit.
Brig-Gen Tshuma is survived by four children.
