Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika, Senior Writer
THE late Vice-President, Joseph Wilfred Msika, who passed away 16 years ago, was a fearless campaigner for Zimbabwe’s independence, sovereignty, and development, President Mnangagwa has said.
The President made the remarks in a statement commemorating the 16th anniversary of Vice-President Msika’s death on August 4, 2009.
“Today, the 4th of August, the nation joins the Msika family in commemorating the 16th anniversary of the demise of the late veteran freedom fighter and nationalist, national hero and former Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Comrade Joseph Wilfred Msika.
“A fearless campaigner for the independence, sovereignty and development of Zimbabwe. His death, falling in the month in which we celebrate the legacy of our heroes and heroines, fortifies our resilience against neo-colonial machinations and strengthens our sense of national pride and self-respect,” President Mnangagwa said.
He noted that the late Vice-President Msika was unwavering in his fight against colonial rule until Zimbabwe attained independence.
“The prominent nationalist fought colonial subjugation and racial discrimination and never relented until the birth of Zimbabwe as an independent and sovereign nation in 1980.
“He played a crucial role in the recruitment of cadres to join liberation war training camps within the region and in other foreign lands. His generation of fearless cadres shook the colonial regime and earned our nationalist movement the respect of our sub-region, the continent and the rest of the world,” the President said.
President Mnangagwa added that the memory of the late Vice President, popularly known as “Bruno”, remains deeply embedded in the nation’s consciousness.The values of selflessness, unity, peace, freedom and honesty, which he exuded should be emulated by all Zimbabweans in furtherance of the spirit of nation-building as they contribute towards the socio-economic development agenda.
“Our youths, as the vanguard generation of the future, must nurture these values in pursuit of the legacy bequeathed to them by the fallen heroes. Let us continue to love our identity, culture, ethos, our country and respect Ubuntu as envisioned by our forebears.
“As our nation remembers one of its foremost liberators and cultural icons, we stand united in the beliefs and ideals he fought for in our efforts to bring about socio-economic transformation and the attainment of Vision 2030 — of an empowered, knowledge and technology driven upper-middle-income society,” President Mnangagwa said.
The President further stated that Vice-President Msika and his compatriots fought for Zimbabwe’s sacred land and urged present generations to honour that legacy through productivity.
“As we remember those who laid down their lives for Zimbabwe, let us pledge to be custodians of the land they loved so much by being productive through smart, climate-proofed agriculture.
“May the soul of our dear departed Comrade Joseph Wilfred Msika and all heroes and heroines whom we shall be commemorating next week rest in eternal peace,” President Mnangagwa said.
