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Maxwell Tapatapa
Herald Reporter
The National Heroes Acre was transformed into a vibrant tribute to Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, as mourners gathered to bid farewell to the revered national hero yesterday.
The atmosphere was heavy with sorrow, yet celebratory, as Zimbabweans honoured a larger-than-life figure.
Portraits of Colonel Dube adorned the shrine, capturing his legacy and spirit.
Some of the portraits were written; “A true patriot and hero of our nation”, “Your selflessness and dedication will never be forgotten” and “You inspired generations with your courage and vision”.
Colonel Dube, a respected Zanu PF Politburo member and accomplished military officer, was laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre, attracting a diverse crowd of mourners, who included football fans, politicians, diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe, and military personnel, demonstrating the wide reach of his impact and influence.
Flags of Highlanders Football Club, where he was not just a fan, but a benefactor, were flying at the shrine as the football community came to bid farewell to a colourful character. Several people described Cde Dube as a man of the people and a father figure.
One of his colleagues, Cde Elifasi Mashaba, said words were not enough to describe how good Cde Dube was not only for him, but for the community where he lived, particularly Bulawayo.
”Tshinga Dube was our leader in Bulawayo. He was a firm, steadfast leader who stood for State issues. He was a unifier. Above all, he was a man of the people. Tshinga knew everybody, everybody knew Tshinga”.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Dr Omphile Marupi described Cde Dube as a man eager to see the young generation emulating the footsteps of the country’s liberators who valued their country first.
”He was a principled man, a man who valued his identity. He used to emphasise that as youth we should always adhere to the principles of our fathers,” said Deputy Minister Marupi.
National Railways of Zimbabwe chairperson Mike Madiro described his fellow NRZ board member Cde Dube as a humble man.
”The humility of the man is unimaginable. We have lost one of us, a stabiliser, a mature man and someone who had incisive intelligence, he could interrogate issues. He was not the type of man who would take things for granted, he would go to detail for the betterment of the State entity NRZ,” said Cde Madiro.
Addressing mourners, family representative, Mrs Zwile Mabhena described her father as a development practitioner.
“He was a pillar of development for the family and in the community. As a family, we cherish the values he impacted. As a father, he was the best, and a role model that we looked up to.
“He was very caring, and loving and he had a high level of understanding which made us his children relate to him easier. He was a tough man, very brave since he was a military man and he brought us up with a high level of discipline and taught us the values of life,” said Mrs Mabhena who was accompanied by her brother Mthulisi Dube.
Yesterday’s burial drew a large crowd as people from diverse backgrounds paid their last respect to their hero.
“As early as 7am people had started arriving at the national shrine. After dignitaries arrived, proceedings started in earnest with the biblical scripture before family representatives delivered their speeches.
Acting Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi then invited the guest of honour President Mnangagwa who delivered his keynote address in which he outlined the road that Cde Dube had gone through from the time of the liberation struggle up until after independence.
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