Tendai Gukutikwa
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
The body of the late Retired Air Vice Marshal Winnie Mandeya, who was conferred national hero status has arrived at her rural home in Matare Village in Chiendambuya in Makoni.
Relatives, friends, neighbours, and villagers gathered to pay their last respects to the late national heroine.
Matare village head, Robert Matare paid tribute to the late Rtd Air Vice Marshal Mandeya, saying:
“She grew up here and joined the liberation war at a tender age. After independence, she served in the Air Force. She was a caring and humble person, who mingled with villagers without displaying her high-ranking status.”
Rtd Air Vice Marshal Mandeya played a pivotal role in initiating the construction of a local clinic, a project that had stalled for 40 years.
“Her intervention last year facilitated the completion of paperwork, and we are now concerned about who will see the project through to completion. Villagers currently travel over 20km to Nyamusosa Clinic. We thank President Emmerson Mnangagwa for conferring national hero status on our daughter,” he said.
Neighbours and relatives described the late national heroine as a humble and generous person.
Mr Solomon Karindi, a neighbour to the late national hero, said: “She was a nice person to us and we will remember her for her humility. She would come into our homesteads to greet us each time she visited her home area. She never showed any airs of superiority, despite her high status. She was so humble.”
Headman Chitsike, Tonderai Chitsike, who knew the late Rtd Vice Air Marshal Mandeya for a long time, added: “Her passing has left a huge void, especially since she had initiated the construction of a clinic in our area. She was very approachable and will be deeply missed.”
Mr Chipisai Nyahuna, a local villager and relative, echoed similar sentiments: “We are saddened by her loss. She was a kind and generous person who would visit us in our homes, sharing goodies with us. Her humility was inspiring.”
Online Reporter