Tinaye Agere
Mukudzei Chingwere in HWEDZA
VICE PRESIDENT Dr Constantino Chiwenga has made an emotional return to Mount St Mary’s Mission School to attend a Thanksgiving Mass in honour of Father Cellestino Magwenzi, a former student celebrating his ordination as a Roman Catholic priest.
This visit is deeply personal for VP Chiwenga, who also attended Mount St Mary’s before leaving in 1973 to join the liberation struggle.
Alongside him were three Form Three classmates — the late Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri, Brigadier-General (Retired) Richard Huchu and Ernest Mandizvidza.
The quartet made the difficult choice to abandon their studies during a tea break, answering the call to fight for Zimbabwe’s independence.
Their decision came with immense risk.
While VP Chiwenga, Air Chief Marshal Shiri and Brigadier-General (Retd) Huchu survived the war and later played key roles in government, Mandizvidza is believed to have lost his life in the struggle.
Today’s Thanksgiving Mass is a celebration of Father Magwenzi’s commitment to his faith and a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who came before him, including Vice President Chiwenga and his late comrades.
Online Reporter