Story by Peter Chivhima
THE body of the national hero, Brigadier General Rtd Elasto Madzingira, who died on the 8th of this month, has been taken to his rural home in Chivi, Masvingo province this Tuesday morning to allow people from his province to bid farewell to one of their own.
The national hero’s body was airlifted from Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare, accompanied by his widow, Mrs Sarudzai Madzingira and other relatives, who thanked the government for recognising Brigadier General Retired Madzingira for his contribution to the liberation struggle.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the group for recognising my husband a national hero status because of his contribution to the liberation struggle of Zimbabwe. We are now going to Chivi, Masvingo province so that the people from his area will have an opportunity to bid him farewell,” said Mrs Madzingira.
His sister, Mrs Vivian Matomba added saying, “We are happy that our brother has been recognised for the role he played in liberating the country from the colonial bondage.”
Brigadier General (Rtd) Madzingira abandoned his studies to join the liberation struggle in Mozambique in 1978.
He joined the ZANLA Forces in Bikita through the underground network of the late national hero, Dr Simon Mazorodze.
He served in the Air Force of Zimbabwe from 1985 to 1995 and on his retirement, he continued to serve the nation in the political sphere.
Brigadier General Retired Madzingira’s body will lie in state at his Greendale home in Harare ahead of burial at the national shrine on Wednesday.
