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on Saturday before it was flown to Harare aboard an Airforce of Zimbabwe helicopter at 2 pm yesterday afternoon.
A sombre atmosphere engulfed the Bawa area as relatives and friends came to pay homage to the veteran educationist.
Speaker after speaker described Cde Mudenge’s death as a huge loss to the province and the nation at large.
Zimbabwe Chiefs’ council president Chief Fortune Charumbira said Cde Mudenge was an exemplary leader and a straight forward person.
“Cde Mudenge was a straight forward person who always stood for the truth and had a deep passion to develop Masvingo province but now he is no more.
“We are at a loss so my appeal to everyone including the political leaders in this province is that let’s walk in the same direction, let’s unite as a way of honouring this gallant son of the province,” said Chief Charumbira.
Zanu-PF politburo member Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire said: “We have lost a great son of the province and there is no question about it and the challenge that is there for us who remain behind is to honour Cde Mudenge.”
Masvingo Governor and Resident Minister Cde Titus Maluleke said Cde Mudenge’s death was a huge loss to the province.
“The death of Cde Mudenge is a huge loss and the void he leaves behind will be difficult to fill. We used to rely on him for advice on key issues and without his advice the people of Masvingo are more poorer and vulnerable,” he said.
Zanu-PF Central Committee member Cde Clemence Makwarimba said: “What hurts me most is that I was sitting with him at a hotel a few hours before he died and little did I know that we were parting ways.”
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Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairman Cde Lovemore Matuke said the revolutionary party was the biggest loser in Masvingo because Cde Mudenge was always there for it.
Cde Mudenge joins other late luminaries in Masvingo such as Vice President Simon Muzenda, Retired Air Chief Marshal Josiah Tungamirai, Retired General Vitalis Zvinavashe and Dr Eddison Zvobgo, among others, who were declared national heroes.
Mr George Chabururuka, the director of Finance and Administration in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, said Cde Mudenge was a principled man who wanted to make sure every Zimbabwean had access to higher education.
As the white casket bearing Cde Mudenge was being put in the helicopter draped with the national flag, some mourners ululated in acknowledgement of the outstanding contribution he made in the province.
Accompanying Cde Mudenge’s body were his widow Mildred and only surviving son Pedzisayi, Chief Charumbira, Governor Maluleke, Cde Matuke, Major General Engelbert Rugeje, Retired Major General Gibson Mashingaidze and Four Brigade Deputy Commander Colonel Gift Murawa.
Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and service chiefs also sent their heartfelt condolences to President Mugabe and the Mudenge family. “For us, the late minister was a veteran nationalist, accomplished historian, distinguished educationist, astute diplomat and national hero,” said Minister Mnangagwa in a statement.
Online Reporter