Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
PRESIDENT Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has described the late National Heroes, Major General (Retired) Richard Ruwodo and Professor Herbert Mapfumo Chinyanga, as selfless patriots whose contributions strengthened Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, defence and healthcare sectors.
President Mnangagwa presided over the burial of Major General (Rtd) Ruwodo at the National Heroes Acre in Harare on Monday, while Professor Chinyanga, a pioneering physician, will be cremated in accordance with his wishes.
Zimbabwe lost Major General (Rtd) Ruwodo on 7 July and Professor Chinyanga on 2 July in South Africa.
Thousands gathered at the National Heroes Acre to bid farewell to Major General (Rtd) Ruwodo, whose Chimurenga name was Moshe Pwititi.
Paying tribute, President Mnangagwa described the late military commander as a gallant son of the soil who served Zimbabwe with distinction.
“He was a gallant son of the soil who devoted his life to wholeheartedly serving our motherland, Zimbabwe, with unwavering patriotism, immense honour and professionalism. Sadly, our nation continues to lose that stalwart generation of devoted freedom fighters. However, we are emboldened by the new crop of young heroes and heroines who are taking up the mantle to carry forward the ideals of the liberation struggle,” he said.
The President said Major General (Rtd) Ruwodo abandoned a promising career in industry to join the liberation struggle in 1975 as a ZANLA cadre.
“Comrade Moshe Pwititi received military training at Chimoio in Mozambique before serving as Director of Finance at the party headquarters in Maputo under the late National Hero Cde Ernest Kadungure. After Independence, he held several senior positions, including becoming the first black Director of Zimbabwe National Army Pay and Records,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also paid tribute to Professor Chinyanga, describing him as a pioneer whose work transformed anaesthesia, medical education and Zimbabwe’s healthcare system.
“Today, we also recognise and honour the late National Hero, Professor Herbert Mapfumo Chinyanga. His life was defined by patriotism, integrity, humility, professional excellence and selfless service. He was a towering national figure whose lifelong service helped transform anaesthesia, advance medical education and strengthen Zimbabwe’s healthcare system,” he said.
The President noted that after specialising in anaesthesia and intensive care in Canada, Professor Chinyanga chose to return home despite opportunities to pursue his career abroad.
“Through diligence and professional excellence, he qualified as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in 1978 before undertaking further fellowship training in pain management. He later joined the University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children, earning international recognition as a clinician, researcher and educator,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the Second Republic recognises expertise across all sectors as Zimbabwe pursues national development.
“Under my administration, all areas of specialisation, fields of work and professions remain critical national assets that must be appropriately organised to build, modernise and industrialise our country. Through our collective efforts, the future of Zimbabwe is bright, and Vision 2030 is steadily becoming a reality,” he said.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to accelerating the implementation of people-centred policies and programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of Zimbabweans
