‘shun complacency’ President slams ‘we have arrived’ mentality

THE several achievements in various facets of the economy that the country has registered must never be a source of complacency but should instead act as motivation to do more and break new ground, as there is still more work to be done, President Mnangagwa has said.

The President called for unity of purpose among everyone to ensure that set national objectives are realised.

President Mnangagwa said this yesterday while delivering a eulogy as Chief Mourner at the burial of national hero, Brigadier-General (Retired) Jonathan Willie Hungwe, who died on February 26 in Mwenezi district.

“As we mourn his passing, we also rekindle our resolve to develop, modernise and industrialise our motherland, Zimbabwe.

“I call upon all our people, at every level, to close ranks and work with greater unity of purpose to realise the social, economic and political objectives we set for ourselves.

“The strides we continue to make under the Second Republic with regards to infrastructure development, agriculture, mining, tourism, as well as in manufacturing and education sectors should be a source of constant motivation.”

President Mnangagwa commended the people for their resilience, adding that the economy is on the rise.

“Let us resist the temptation of ‘we have arrived mentality’. While the results we have achieved to date are a testament that we are masters of our own destiny, much more work must be done. Let us keep marching forward and breaking new ground across all sectors and business endeavours. Our collective efforts to improve service delivery, domesticate critical mineral value chains and beneficiation, as well as to empower our youth and women, are yielding positive results.

“Takawirirana kuti nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo. Under the Second Republic, we will never grow tired of building a modern and industrialised Zimbabwe,” he said.

Turning to the legacy of Brig-Gen Hungwe, whose Chimurenga name was “Cde Vito Masango Ferreira”, President Mnangagwa described him as a dedicated servant of the nation.

“Our late national hero spent his life wholeheartedly serving Zimbabwe. A loyal cadre, he had an illustrious military career which saw him serve within the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in operational combat, engineering and logistics support as well as manpower and skills development,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said the journey travelled by Brig-Gen Hungwe during the liberation struggle and after Independence in 1980, bore testament to his unwavering commitment to Zimbabwe’s freedom, sovereignty and prosperity. Born on April 13, 1958 in Chief Nemavuzhe area, of Masvingo Province, he grew up in a family made up of dependable supporters to the nationalist movements and later, the liberation war efforts against the oppressive white settler regime.

“Inspired, particularly by his father’s nationalism and revolutionary spirit, the late Brigadier-General (Retd) Hungwe, crossed the border into Mozambique in January 1978 to join the armed liberation struggle.

“On completion of basic military training, his first operational role was in the logistics unit with comrades responsible for transporting war materials from the rear, to the front lines in support of combat operations,” said President Mnangagwa

Chronicling his background, President Mnangagwa said Brig Gen Hungwe was transferred to Chibawawa Camp, where he became a member of the renowned Red Army Battalion.

Due to his unflinching patriotic resolve, sharp intellect and physical stamina, Cde Vito Masango Ferreira was transferred to the Inhamhinga Training Base where he trained as part of an elite unit known as “Group of 300”.

In that role, he specialised in anti-tank weapons. Upon completion of his training, Brig-Gen Hungwe he was deployed from Samakweza Training Camp as a logistics operative.

President Mnangagwa said at Independence, the national hero was part of the reserve force that remained in Mozambique. He returned to Zimbabwe in 1981. The late national hero, Brig-Gen Hungwe briefly stayed at Chitungwiza Assembly Point until he was attested in the Zimbabwe National Army.

Said the President: “Modern armies leverage on electrical mechanical engineering to maintain military fleets, including armoured and unarmoured platforms, tactical logistical trucks, among others, that provide mobility and lift capabilities to combat operations.”

He also served for three decades in various capacities in the technical, engineering, command, training and strategic staff roles in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Electrical Mechanical Department. Beyond commanding various workshops, he rose to become Commandant of the Engineering Training.

President Mnangagwa added that Brig-Gen Hungwe participated as logistics officer in the Mozambique Campaign and “Operation Sovereign Legitimacy” in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He played a key role in commanding supplies, transport systems as well as ensuring operational efficiency and sustainability.

Brig-Gen Hungwe’s bravery, leadership and selfless sacrifices inspired countless others who served alongside him.

President Mnangagwa said the late national hero will be remembered as a unifier, astute and disciplined leader.

“A decorated general officer, the late national hero was awarded the Liberation Medal, Independence Medal, 10 Years’ Long Service Medal, the 15 Years Exemplary Service Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal and the DRC Campaign Medal,” he said.

Following his retirement from military service, he was seconded to the Ministry of War Veterans Affairs where he served as Director of War Collaborators, Non-Combatant Cadres, and Zimbabwe Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees.

“In this portfolio, our national hero was instrumental in the implementation of policies, programmes and projects relating to the welfare of veterans. His background and institutional memory proved valuable during the verification processes of the broader group of veterans who contributed to the liberation struggle,” said the President.

The burial was attended by Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Chief Justice Luke Malaba, Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, service chiefs, and diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe, among others.