Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
MASVINGO-A funeral parade for liberation war hero, Colonel Retired Claudious Makova has been held at 4 Infantry Brigade in Masvingo, with the late being described as a patriotic cadre.
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Chief of Staff Quartermaster Staff, Major General Simo Maseko, who led proceedings at the funeral parade, described the late Colonel Retired Makova as a dedicated and principled man who served his country until the time of his death.
“Colonel Retired Claudious Makova served diligently and purposefully in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, he left a legacy of excellence in the organisation. His loyalty and patriotism towards his beloved country remind us of how lucky we are as a nation to have a generation of officers and commanders of the caliber of the departed Colonel. His willpower to fight for the liberation of the country and defend its ideals after independence remained unwavering,” Major General Simo Maseko said.
The late Colonel Retired Makova’s family said they are mourning their pillar of strength and a unifier.
“Our father was a hard worker who strived for his family. He helped a lot including his extended family to ensure many were educated. He was also an honest man hence a principled father figure. We want to thank the Zimbabwe National Army and our government for honouring him,” family representative, Mr Oliver Makova said.
Born in Bikita in 1949, Colonel Retired Makova joined the liberation struggle in 1977 as a ZANLA cadre in Mozambique.
He went through training in Tanzania and was selected to be an instructor at Nachingeta Training Camp.
He was later assigned to Tete, and in 1979 he was sent to Romania for further training.
After Independence, he joined the Zimbabwe National Army in 1982 and rose through the ranks to become a Colonel.
He held several posts in the Public Relations Department to become the Director of Public Relations from 1994 up until his retirement.
He died on July 6, at his farm in Chiredzi and is survived by his wife, Georgina, and six children.
He will be buried this Friday at his farm in the Mkwasine area of Chiredzi.
