Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba [email protected]
THE Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, has urged Zimbabweans to emulate the selfless patriotism of the late liberation war hero Cde Simon Tendayi Ngome, saying his life embodied the values of the liberation struggle.
Cde Ngome was recently buried at the Midlands Provincial Heroes Acre in Gweru with full liberation war hero honours conferred by President Mnangagwa.
He died last week on Tuesday at his homestead in Northgate Heights, Gweru, after a short illness.
“It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of sorrow that I address you today as we lay to rest Cde Simon Tendayi Ngome,” said Minister Ncube.
“The Midlands Province appreciates the conferment of Liberation War Hero status by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr E. D. Mnangagwa, to Cde Ngome in recognition of his selfless sacrifice to the independence and freedom of our motherland, Zimbabwe, from colonial bondage.”
Minister Ncube conveyed condolences to the Ngome family for the loss of their beloved father, grandfather, and mentor.
Giving a brief history of the departed hero, Minister Ncube said Cde Ngome was born on February 2 1950, at Mutare Hospital in Manicaland Province.
He was the eldest in a family of eight — three girls and five boys.
He attended Mabwere Primary and Secondary School up to 1966. After school, he worked at Mitchell’s Bakery in Mutare for a year in 1967, before joining Ferco Group of Companies in Harare from 1972 to 1975.
In 1976, Cde Ngome left to join the liberation struggle.
“In 1976, Cde Ngome took the brave and sacrificial decision, like most youths of his time, to join the liberation struggle. He crossed the border into Mozambique to fight colonialism and imperialism perpetrated by the white minority regime,” Minister Ncube said.
Cde Ngome received military training in Tanzania and operated in Nyanga under the Chimurenga name Cde Peter Chaka.
“After Independence, he was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant before retiring in August 1994,” he said.
Minister Ncube said the objectives of the liberation war were being pursued by the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa through devolution, infrastructure development, and private sector-led industrialisation in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, retail and tourism.
He commended Midlands residents for ignoring calls for protests, saying this demonstrated support for the President and for Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3 of 2026.
“This demonstrates our steadfast, resolute, and unwavering support towards the pragmatic leadership of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, and
Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3 of 2026 as it guarantees political stability, Gross Domestic Product growth, social cohesion, and leadership continuity,” he said.
The Minister announced that this year’s Heroes Day commemorations will be held at the Midlands Provincial Heroes Acre, while Defence Forces Day will be celebrated at Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe, in line with Government’s thrust to decentralise state functions.
“I implore all mourners here present to take a leaf from the departed selfless, patriotic, and consistent Zanu-PF cadre,” Minister Ncube said.
Cde Ngome is survived by his wife Annah Makore, 10 children and 24 grandchildren.
