Story by John Nhandara
THE body of National Hero Major General (Retired) Richard Ruwodo will be flown to his farm in Macheke and his rural home in Watsomba, Manicaland Province, this Sunday as the nation continues to honour his contribution to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and national development.
Major General Ruwodo died on July 7, with tributes continuing to pour in from family members, colleagues and the wider public.
His son, Tatenda Ruwodo, said the body will first be taken to the family’s farm in Macheke before proceeding to Watsomba in Mutare District, after which it will return to Harare.
“We expect the body to be flown to our farm in Macheke. It will then proceed to Watsomba in Mutare before being flown back to Harare. There will be a church service at St Luke’s Anglican,” he said.
Family members described the late National Hero as a humble, generous and unifying figure whose legacy will live on.
“It is a great loss to the entire family. He was a generous and loving man to everyone, including his colleagues and friends,” his daughter, Tinodiwa Ruwodo, said.
A former colleague, Brigadier General (Retired) Ezekiel Zabanyana, remembered him as a dedicated military commander and strategic leader.
“We worked together from 1980 when we were amalgamated into the Zimbabwe National Army. He was my boss and a strategic thinker,” he said.
Major General Ruwodo rose through the ranks of the Zimbabwe National Army to become a Brigadier General before being promoted to the rank of Major General upon his retirement in 2008.
Following his military career, he served as Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs before becoming Chief Director and later Director for War Veterans’ Affairs.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs Lois Ruwodo, and three children.
