adminFreeman Razemba Senior Reporter
Tens of thousands of people from all over Zimbabwe thronged the National Heroes Acre in Harare yesterday to bid farewell to national hero and gallant freedom fighter, Brigadier-General Misheck Tanyanyiwa. The late Brig Gen, who was Zimbabwe’s Defence Attaché to China, died last month in Beijing and was a declared national hero.
He was the first black soldier to head the highly respected Commandos at independence in 1980, laying the foundation for their evolution into one of the best – if not the premier – Special Forces units on the continent.
As early as 6am on Sunday, flag and placard-carrying mourners, many clad in Zanu-PF regalia, started assembling at Stodart Hall in Mbare – the ceremonial home of the liberation struggle – to bid farewell to Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa.
President Mugabe and First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe led the body viewing, followed by Vice President Joice Mujuru, cabinet ministers, Zanu-PF Politburo members, service chiefs, and relatives and friends of Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa.
Zanu-PF supporters sang and danced outside Stodart Hall while Mbare residents joined in to both mourn the death and celebrate the life of the great freedom fighter who went by the Chimurenga name of Nemi Tichapedzerana.
Thousands of others were already making their way to the National Heroes’ Acre to witness the internment of a man many have described as a loyal and dedicated military leader and patriot.
Mr Donald Tanyanyiwa, brother to the late national hero, was first to address the crowd at the National Heroes Acre and he paid tribute to Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa’s wife (Maria) as a resolute individual who kept the family together.
It was a delivery well-appreciated by youths who held placards inscribed “Zororai Murugare Mhare Yechimurenga”, “West: Allow Zimbabwe to trade its resources without hindrance”, “Special Forces never die. They regroup somewhere” and “Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa: a patriotic and loyal Commando”.
The Roman Catholic Choir and ZAOGA Praise and Worship among others provided choral gems to mourners before Minister of Home Affairs Kembo Mohadi paid tribute to the “revolutionary”.
President Mugabe, the consumate public speaker, not only outlined the life and times of Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa, but also – in the finest tradition of lightening the mood at such sombre gatherings – dropped some humour into his address.
Much of it was in apparent reference to recent media reports that described him as an “English gentleman”, and it came whenever he typically deviated from his prepared speech and addressed the crowd in the Shona language.
Prior to yesterday’s burial, Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander, General Constantine Chiwenga, had described Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa as a dedicated cadre who contributed immensely to defending Zimbabwe’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as jealously guarding the nation’s independence.
“It should be very clear to us all that the late Brigadier-General was no ordinary man,” he said. “He also played a pivotal role in protecting Zimbabwe’s socio-economic well-being as her vital national self-interests. He gave up his youth to fight for the freedom we enjoy today.
“The general committed his whole life to serving Zimbabwe and fought to defend her national self-interests. Above all, he remained focused and steadfast in the face of neo-colonial machinations by Britain and her allies.”
Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa, added: “If it was not for cadres like him, we would still be under colonial rule, the fruits of the land we are enjoying would have remained a dream.
“We would not be having so many schools and universities in which there is no segregation and entry is free to everyone regardless of colour or race.”
Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa joined the liberation war in Mozambique in 1975 and underwent military training at Mgagao Training Centre in Tanzania under the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (Zanla) in 1976.
He participated in the struggle in different appointments and later played a pivotal role in the integration of the Zimbabwe National Army, transforming the Rhodesia Light Infantry into 1 Commando Battalion. It was a battalion that he was to soon afterwards head as its first black commanding officer.
Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa headed the Zimbabwe delegation to the DRC Joint Military Commission and was instrumental in the Lusaka ceasefire negotiations that brought peace to that country in 2003 after five years of war.
He was to be later appointed Defence Attaché to China at the embassy in Beijing, the post he held until his untimely death. Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa was born on May 13, 1955 in Bindura where he attained his junior certificate at Bradley Secondary School in 1971.
He completed his Ordinary Level through correspondence after independence. Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa was awarded several medals during his long service in the military.
Among these are the Liberation, Independence, Ten Years Service, Long and Exemplary Service, Mozambique Campaign, and the Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign medals, as well as the Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.
Online Reporter