Victoria Chitepo hailed

Ray Bande in Mutasa and Freeman Razemba in Harare
NATIONAL heroine Cde Victoria Chitepo has been described as a humble cadre who never used the liberation war credentials of her late husband, the founding Zanu chairman, Cde Herbert Chitepo, to climb the political ladder.

Cde Chitepo, 88, who died in Harare on Friday, was accorded national heroine status for her colossal contribution to the country before and after Independence.

Several dignitaries interviewed before the arrival of Cde Chitepo’s body at Bonda Mission in Mutasa District yesterday afternoon, described her as a humble cadre whose unwavering stance on the party’s political ethos would be missed.

The body of the late national heroine arrived at the family’s rural home near Bonda Mission at around 4PM.

It was accompanied by Politburo member Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, her son, Kule Zvenyika Chitepo and Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairman Cde Samuel Undenge.

Several government ministers, legislators, service chiefs and heads of government departments welcomed Cde Chitepo’s body that was aboard an Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopter.

Retired Anglican bishop, Bishop Sebastian Bakare, led a prayer service.

The Minister of State for Manicaland Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, hailed the departed heroine for remaining steadfast in the Chitepo family after the death of her husband.

“I think she led by example. I came into politics way after the likes of Cde Victoria Chitepo were there. But she was quite humble and never wanted to show everyone that she was the wife of one of the founding members of the liberation struggle.

“I also think one of the things that we’ll learn from her is her unmatched steadfastness in the Chitepo family. If it were some of the cadres today, I think we would’ve changed many surnames after the death of the beloved one, but Cde Chitepo wasn’t like that. She remained steadfast and took care of the kids that Cde Chitepo (husband) left behind.”

Member of the National Assembly for Mutasa South Cde Irene Zindi said: “What we’re seeing these days isn’t what the likes of Cde Victoria Chitepo taught us. I learnt a lot from Cde Victoria Chitepo. She wasn’t the one to aspire for the high table at every function, even though it would be clear that she deserved to be there.

“She never showed or boasted about being the wife of one of the most decorated liberation war fighters. Some of the leaders that we’ve today brag about the little achievements that they’ve made, yet some people like Cde Victoria Chitepo remained calm and humble even though they had fiery liberation war credentials. I’ll miss her and hope to continue emulating her. I wish we would all emulate her.”

Cde Nyasha Chikwinya, the Mutare South Member of the National Assembly, also commended Cde Chitepo for her patriotic stance.

“One wouldn’t believe that she isn’t originally from Zimbabwe given the way she loved this country. She loved Zimbabwe and its people in a manner that most of us can’t match. She was more concerned with uplifting the lives of the youths and women. She loved children and that’s why she gave sound education to her own kids,” said Cde Chikwinya.

Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Cde Christopher Mushohwe spoke glowingly of Cde Chitepo’s humility. “I remember when I was Governor for Manicaland she would come to my office, and each time she came, I would ask her why she hadn’t phoned me so that instead I would be the one to drive to see her myself, but she would refuse.

“This is how humble she was. After all, all those visits were about the Chitepo Ideological College. She really wanted to see that coming to fruition and I think it would be a befitting tribute for us to make sure that the college is up and running,” said Cde Mushohwe.

Cde Chitepo’s body lay in state at her Bonda rural home last night and was expected to be flown back to Harare this morning where it would lie in state again before burial at the National Heroes’ Acre tomorrow.

Earlier in the day, a funeral service for Cde Chitepo was held at One Commando in Harare before the body was airlifted to Bonda.

Cde Undenge, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri and Deputy Minister for Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Cde Abigail Damasane, attended the funeral service, among other government officials.

On Saturday, President Robert Mugabe described Cde Chitepo as steadfastly loyal.

He said after her husband’s assassination in 1975, Cde Chitepo remained committed to the liberation struggle and worked tirelessly for the party. “We’ve lost a mother. She was a quiet woman and a mother of the party. I heard she had wanted to come to the Central Committee meeting, but it didn’t happen as she died in the bathroom.

“I’m sure every one of us here has a different story; everyone here has her own story to tell about Mai Chitepo. That story will always have an element of love, an element of her preparedness to assist, (her) charitable disposition, wanting to assist and wanting reconciliation.

“She never was quarrelsome. No, never! She was never involved in conflicts. She also always encouraged harmony in the party, dialogue in the party, and togetherness in the party.”

More mourners yesterday thronged Cde Chitepo’s home to pay their condolences.

Born on March 27, 1928, in South Africa, Cde Chitepo was a teacher by profession and married Advocate Chitepo in 1955.

During the liberation struggle, inspired by her husband, she organised women to march in protest and co-ordinated care for detainees who were in prisons in places such as Marondera and Sikombela. At Independence Cde Chitepo held several Ministerial positions and was a former Member of Parliament in Manicaland.

She was United Nations’ eminent person and special advisor to United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros Ghali on preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women (1994-1995). She was appointed a member of the Commonwealth Mission to South Africa in 1993, replacing Justice Simbi Mubako. Cde Chitepo was awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism and Hospitality Management degree for her contribution to national development by the Midlands State University in 2010.

Cde Chitepo is survived by four children and grandchildren.