Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
THE family and colleagues of the late national hero Cde Justin Mupamhanga have described him as an exceptional, dedicated, and selfless revolutionary who turned into a development champion.
“Zororai Murugare Moyondizvo Dhewa”, “Rest in Peace Illustrious Son of the Soil”, “Cde Justin Hugh Top 10 Mupamhanga”, “a Selfless Revolutionary Cadre”, were some of the messages on display to describe the late national hero.
Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment Development and Vocational Training Honourable Kudakwashe Mupamhanga, who is also son to the national hero, said his father was the pillar of the family.
He said, “The man we lay to rest today is a hero, not to the family, but to Zimbabweans. He would go with us to church. He was a man who had continuous growth in his life. The impact he had in the family is seen with the number of names given to children in the family.
Colleagues who worked with the late national hero described him as a strategist par excellence.
ZANU PF Politburo member Cde James Makamba said, “He was a man of good standing, hence being accorded national hero status. He excelled during the liberation struggle and came back from war with vigor. He worked well in government where he went through the ranks to be appointed Deputy Chief Secretary, he was was trusted by leadership.”
“As a province, we lost a workhorse whose desire to champion development across the country was unparalleled. We rejoice because he left a mark of hard work in the province. He championed a lot of developmental work and he was a great farmer,” Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Christopher Magomo said.
ZANU PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa added, “Cde Top 10 was one of those who left to fight during the liberation struggle. He was a leader of note, considering the posts he took during the liberation struggle. He also worked hard to unite comrades in camps in Mozambique that’s where his leadership skills were picked. He was a strategist,”
Cde Top 10 joined the liberation struggle in 1975 after leaving the then University of Rhodesia.
After independence, he joined the civil service and rose through the ranks to become Deputy Chief Secretary Responsible for Monitoring and Evaluation in the Office of the President and Cabinet.
Cde Mupamhanga is survived by his wife Idah, four sons, and several grandchildren.
