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Harare Bureau
THOUSANDS of people from all walks of life yesterday bade farewell to Zanu-PF founding member Cde Enos Mzombi Nkala at the National Heroes Acre. The burial was attended by some opposition party leaders among them former deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara, Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn leader Dr Simba Makoni, MDC-99 president Mr Job Sikhala, and NCA chairman Professor Lovemore Madhuku.
MDC-T members Mrs Sekai Holland, Mr James Makore and former Mvurachena Senator Cephas Makuyana attended the colourful send-off.
As early as 8am hundreds of Mbare residents lined the streets that lead to Stodart Hall, the ceremonial home of the liberation struggle, waving placards, singing and dancing to revolutionary songs.
Around the same time hundreds others had already gathered at the National Heroes Acre as they were being entertained by music from the police band and other choral groups.
Some youths were holding banners that described the veteran nationalist’s character while others were stuck on the walls.
The crowd broke into song and dance when the gun carriage bearing Cde Nkala’s body arrived at the National Heroes Acre at 12.05pm.
President Mugabe’s motorcade was right behind, marking the beginning of official proceedings.
Pallbearers carried the casket draped in the national flag and placed it in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Cde Nkala’s pastor from Harvest House International Church gave the dedication describing the late national hero as a born again believer who had also obtained a degree in theology.
Family representative, Mr Herbert Nkala dispelled claims in some quarters that his uncle had said he did not want to be buried at the National Heroes Acre.
“Baba repeatedly told us in front of Mama and the rest of the family that his value system had moved him to higher principles and he no longer had any difficulties in accepting to be laid at this shrine, the National Heroes Acre or anywhere else if his political colleagues and family so agreed.
“Unfortunately, these utterances did not have the same audience as his initial statement. But I assure you Baba is here with his full permission and concurrence and that the family has not in any way gone against his will by accepting this honour on his behalf,” Mr Nkala said.
Vice-President Joice Mujuru, Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, Zanu-PF Politburo, Central Committee members and other officials and service chiefs attended the burial.
In an interview with our Harare Correspondent, Zanu-PF secretary for administration, Cde Didymus Mutasa, said Cde Nkala deserved to be buried at the National Heroes’ Acre given the roles he played during and after the liberation struggle.
“He was a very good man. I stayed with him in prison at the then Salisbury Remand Prison from March 1972 to November of that year.
“He was a pleasant fellow. We discussed issues with him. He was just an ordinary man but he was also at that time a very senior leader of Zanu. We discussed issues at party level.
“He worked very long in Government. As a person who worked in Government, naturally he wouldn’t be buried as a hero like a lot of other people who were working in Government. People like Ushewokunze, the younger one.
“We had quite a lot of other people who were laid here at this National Heroes Acre by virtue of the service they had given to the State of Zimbabwe,” Cde Mutasa said.
Online Reporter