daniel chigunwe
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
The body of national hero and founding Vice Chancellor of Midlands State University (MSU) Professor Ngwabi Bhebe will be taken to his farm ahead of burial at the National Heroes’ Acre on Saturday.
Prof Bhebe died last Friday at the age of 81.
He was accorded national hero status in recognition of his immense contribution to the development of tertiary education in Zimbabwe as well as his work during the struggle for independence.
Announcing funeral arrangements at the family home in Gweru on Monday, Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube said an agreement had been reached between Government and Prof Bhebe’s family.
His body will today be taken to his farm, before going to a chapel tomorrow.
Thereafter, the body will lie in state in Harare on Friday before burial the following day at the National Heroes’ Acre.
“After we held a discussion with Prof Bhebe’s wife and family, we told them that we were now going to relay to President Mnangagwa that the children had not yet arrived from their bases out of the country, so he cannot be buried on Wednesday and also Friday will be tricky as there will be a graduation ceremony at MSU.
“So, President Mnangagwa said very well; so go back and tell the family that we will now bury him on Saturday in Harare at the National Heroes’ Acre.
“Necessary arrangements will also be made so that the body is taken to the farm on Wednesday (today) as requested by the family. Then on Thursday his body will be taken to the chapel and on Friday his body will be taken to Harare where it will lie in state ahead of the burial on Saturday,” said Minister Ncube.
In his condolence message, President Mnangagwa described Prof Bhebe as a “nationalist through and through”.
He said the late national hero had contributed invaluably to Zimbabwe’s education landscape.
“We forever will be indebted to him for this outstanding vision, which was always tempered by a bend towards the urgent practicalities of our nation. A nationalist through and through, Professor Bhebhe was associated with numerous research projects and publications which re-narrativised our history, thus helping us re-define and re-build our collective personality through decoloniality.
“I especially recall his outstanding leadership in compiling the Zimbabwean Chapter on African Liberation Struggle history, to give us a tome which is a must-read for all nationally aware citizens of our continent. This monumental work was interspersed by numerous other projects we repeatedly assigned to him as Government,” said President Mnangagwa.
Due to his passion and commitment to the preservation of Zimbabwe’s history and nation building, Prof Bhebe teamed up with colleagues to found the MSU and became its first Vice Chancellor.
In Gweru, mourners are gathered at 266, Mutausi Park.
Online Reporter