Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Modern battlegrounds are no longer confined to the traditional realms of war and politics, hence, a new crop of heroes and heroines in the mould of the late Air Vice Marshal (Rtd) Winnie Cabby Mandeya must emerge across all sectors, President Mnangagwa has said.
In his address at the burial of the late national heroine Air Vice Marshal (Rtd) Mandeya, at the National Heroes Acre yesterday, the President said the country’s liberation history, as well as the embodiment of numerous recollections of the lives of the country’s heroes and heroines, should be a source of motivation and inspiration to fuel the realisation of national goals.
“Brick by brick, stone upon stone and step by step, we are an unstoppable nation. Tisu vene venyika ino; ticharamba tichivaka Nyika yekwedu; tichitonga Nyika yedu yechipikirwa, tichiyinamatira zvekare.
“Let us all carry forward the rich tradition of selfless patriotism, bequeathed to us by our forebears and pass it on to those that will come after us,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the agriculture, mining, tourism, manufacturing, education and health sectors, science, innovation and technology, were now the modern battlegrounds in which the country must triumph.
“In all these fronts and many others, Zimbabwe must continue rising victorious. The heroes and heroines of the First and Second Chimurenga fought in cold, rough and often impassable terrains.
“Hope and confidence in their unity and collective power saw them realise the vision of their time. That of independence and freedom,” he said. The same flames must burn among us, in all corners of this great land, as a united and peace-loving people, so that we realise Vision 2030 and a higher quality of life for all.”
The Head of State and Government rallied the generality of Zimbabweans to strive to be counted among those who sacrificed, worked hard and fully deployed their skills, talents and capabilities for the development of the country.
Air Vice Marshal Mandeya had led by example in this stead, said the President.
“Pauri, zvivhunze kuti urikushandira nyika yekwedu here? Mabasa ako arikusimudzira Zimbabwe here?
Zvaurikutaura, zvirikuvaka Nyika yekwedu here, kana kuti kwete?
“May our actions and activities always advance the interest and prosperity of our motherland.
“Like the national heroes and heroines we celebrate, such as the late Air Vice Marshal Mandeya, among others; we must one day be counted among those who sacrificed, worked hard and fully deployed their skills, talents and capabilities, for the development, peace, unity as well as modernisation and prosperity of Zimbabwe,” he said.
President Mnangagwa then threw a challenge at female members of the security sector as well as those serving across the public and private sectors, to draw lessons and inspiration from the life of the late national heroine.
He added that under the Second Republic, merit, professionalism and hard work, among other key attributes and values, will always be recognised.
“With hard, honest work, patriotism, discipline, focus, zeal and consistency, any level of achievement can be realised.
“The lives of the heroes and heroines interred here at the National Shrine, as well as throughout the Provincial and
District Heroes Acres, are epitaphs of consistent and persistent dedication to the national interests and cause of our motherland, Zimbabwe.
“I challenge the nation as a whole to use these solemn occasions to introspect and reflect on our individual, collective and generational roles we must play, for the Zimbabwe of tomorrow,” he said.
This yesteryear generation of cadres, liberation war-time fighting forces and nationalists, said President Mnangagwa, had a dream of a free and independent Zimbabwe which they relentlessly pursued “against all odds and in spite of the seemingly technically superior enemy, in the mould of the racist Rhodesian settler regime and its allies”.
President Mnangagwa described the late national heroine’s death as a huge blow to the country.
“Only a day ago, we gathered here, to bid farewell to two illustrious sons of Zimbabwe; today is yet another solemn occasion as we meet again, to lay to rest in eternal peace, a gallant daughter of the soil, a veteran of the liberation struggle, exemplary patriot and decorated Senior Military Officer, Retired Air Vice Marshal, Winnie Cabby Mandeya.
“She passed on at the age of 64, here in Harare on 27 April 2025. Her demise is indeed a grievous loss, not only to her family, the Defence Forces and War Veterans community, but to the nation as a whole,” he said.
The President said Air Vice Marshal Mandeya perfectly understood that Zimbabweans are masters of their destiny, and this understanding defined her dedication and commitment.
“As we pay tribute and bid final farewell to our late National Heroine, Cde Mandeya, we must remain mindful that the onus is now on us, who remain, to defend our national character, identity, integrity and interests, as we march forward, towards Vision 2030.
“Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.
“This is a philosophy that our heroine understood very well.
“Hence, today, we lay her to rest alongside her comrades in arms and commanders that have gone ahead, here at this
National Shrine, for remembrance and eternal reverence,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said he had worked with the late national heroine directly, describing her as a bold, fearless and charismatic patriot.
“We in Government, and the security sector specifically, were privileged to walk and share with her the many years of service to our great motherland, Zimbabwe, both before and after independence.
“The achievements of our dearly departed, Retired Air Vice Marshal Mandeya, as one of the pioneering female Senior
Military Officers, will remain imprinted in the history of our nation.
“Having worked under my direct and indirect supervision in various capacities over the years, I can testify that she was a bold, fearless, charismatic and patriotic cadre.
“Dating back to the days of the liberation struggle, she was unwavering in her commitment and dedication to our country, loyal, trustworthy and a dependable pair of hands.
“The late Comrade, Retired Air Vice Marshal Mandeya, ran the race set before her, that of serving Zimbabwe, with admirable endurance and sacrifice. She fought the good fight and kept her faith and love for our motherland, Zimbabwe, until the end,” he said.
The President then chronicled her life journey.
“The late ‘Cde Cabby Rujeko-rwehondo’ as she was known during the struggle, was born in July 1960 in Rusape. She undertook her primary education within Makoni District before proceeding to Mutambara High School in 1975.
“Later that same year, the late retired Air Vice Marshal Winnie Cabby Mandeya joined the liberation struggle, starting at Junda and Nyadzonya Camps in Mozambique.
“This brave decision defied the odds of those times,” said President Mnangagwa.
He narrated how the national heroine had shattered the glass ceiling and defied the odds.
“Like many other fearless young girls at that time, our late National Heroine saw the cause to fight to liberate Zimbabwe as being greater than any limitation her gender could ever impose.
“She was part of the trailblazers and cohort of female cadres who shattered the glass ceiling,” he said.
“Many became leaders and commanders during the perilous times that characterised the protracted liberation struggle for our country’s independence.
“These traits were enduring and evident throughout the military career of ‘Cde Cabby Rujeko-rwehondo”.
The late national heroine did her military training in Nachingweya, Tanzania, and thereafter deployed in Gaza
Province, at Xai Xai Base, where she operated until 1978, before her selection to commence a course in the medical corps.
There, she worked under the tutelage of Cde Sydney Sekeramayi, as well as the late national heroes, Cde Herbert Ushewokunze and Brigadier General Felix Muchemwa.
President Mnangagwa said that in the various roles assigned to her, she demonstrated unquestionable zeal and was entrusted to undertake nursing duties in operational zones, including during and after the heinous and evil Chimoio attack.
“At the ceasefire in 1979, the late Comrade Mandeya remained in Mozambique.
“She returned home in August 1980, along with the last group of wartime patients. Following which, she joined the President’s Department.
“As the then Minister of State Security, in 1981, I recommended her for appointment to serve in the Commission of Inquiry, investigating missing persons,” he said.
The late Air Vice Marshal was strategically transferred to the Air Force of Zimbabwe in July 1984, as a non-commissioned member.
“Her reliability, acquired aptitude, professionalism and dedication to duty saw her rise through the ranks from Flight Lieutenant to Air Commodore.
“In recognition of her loyalty, patriotism, discipline and wholehearted service to our country, I promoted her to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, upon her retirement, in August 2022.
“The late departed Senior Officer never exuded an unbridled sense of entitlement, but always diligently served in the roles assigned to her.
“She held several military appointments during her illustrious career. These included Base Adjutant at Manyame Air Force Base; Staff Officer Personnel and Administration at the Air Force Headquarters, as well as a member of the Directing Staff and the Deputy Commandant at the Zimbabwe Staff College,” said the President.
Her professional dexterity and versatility saw her assigned to the role of Director of Civil-Military Relations at the Air Force Headquarters as well as Director of General Service Personnel at the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Headquarters.
The late national heroine and Senior Military Officer attended all courses as her role and rank demanded.
“As a result of hard work, selfless dedication and exemplary service to the nation, the late Retired Air Vice Marshal Mandeya was awarded the Independence Medal, Ten Years’ Service Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal, Liberation Medal, as well as the Long and Exemplary Medal.
“Her allegiance and loyalty to the nation are irrefutable. Cde Winnie Cabby Mandeya remained patriotic and committed throughout her career. She will forever be remembered as an honest, humble and trustworthy cadre who was always ready to avail herself for any national task,” said President Mnangagwa.
The burial was attended by Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Zanu-PF Politburo and Central Committee members, as well as other senior Government officials.
