Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
THE Government has accorded a State-assisted funeral to the late Sikhubekiso Madeya Mangena, widow of national hero and revered former commander of the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (Zipra), Cde Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena.
Mrs Mangena passed away at her Manningdale home in Bulawayo on Sunday night at the age of 69.
Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, who visited the family yesterday to pay her respects, said the honour bestowed upon Mrs Mangena was well deserved.
“We would like to thank the leadership of President Mnangagwa for recognising the contribution of our national hero, Cde Nikita Mangena and his family to the liberation of the country by according the late umama, Mrs Mangena a state-assisted funeral.
“The Mangena surname is held in high regard in the history of the country’s liberation struggle,” she said in an interview.
Minister Ncube noted that Mrs Mangena played a pivotal role in supporting her husband during the liberation war, helping to shape his military career as he fought alongside other stalwarts for Zimbabwe’s independence.
Cde Mangena, one of the pioneers of the armed struggle, was killed in a landmine explosion in southern Zambia in 1978. His remains were reburied at the National Heroes Acre on August 11, 1998.
Zipra was the military wing of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (Zapu), a political party led by the late Vice President Dr Joshua Nkomo. Formed in 1961, Zapu played a key role — alongside Zanu and its military wing, Zanla — in the fight to end colonial rule, culminating in independence in 1980. When Zapu’s military wing was reconstituted and renamed Zipra in 1971, following the departure of the Chikerema-Nyandoro group, Cde Mangena was appointed Commander of Zipra, with Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo serving as acting Commander-in-Chief.
Cde Mangena also served as a member of the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Council. Under his leadership, Zipra grew into a well-organised and disciplined force in a short space of time.
In honour of his legacy, the Government named the cantonment housing the Zimbabwe National Defence University and, other institutions the Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena Barracks.
A close family member, Mrs Sithandekile Moyo, said funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
“Family members are still arriving from various places, including overseas, and we will announce in due course where Mrs Mangena will be laid to rest. Minister Ncube came here to offer her condolences and confirmed that my sister will be accorded a state-assisted funeral. As a family, we are grateful for the Government’s support,” she said.
Mourners are gathered at 104 Triffin Road, Manningdale suburb, in Bulawayo.
Mrs Mangena met President Mnangagwa in May 2023, where she described her late husband as a dedicated cadre committed to the independence of his country.
Mrs Mangena is survived by her son, Lotshe and several grandchildren.
derick.khumalo