Story by Oleen Ndori
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged Zimbabweans to unite behind the national development agenda, drawing inspiration from the life of the late National Heroine, Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Winnie Mandeya, who was laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre this Friday.
Delivering his eulogy at the burial, the Head of State praised Cde Mandeya as a committed cadre whose distinguished service was marked by a series of trailblazing achievements. He said her unwavering dedication to duty should serve as a model for all citizens as the nation advances towards Vision 2030.
“May our actions and activities always advance the interest and prosperity of our motherland, like the national heroes and heroines, we celebrate, such as the late Air Vice Marshall Mandeya, among others. We must one day be counted among those who sacrificed, worked hard and fully deployed their skills, talents and capabilities, for the development, peace, unity as well as modernisation and prosperity of Zimbabwe.
“The heroes and heroines of the First and Second Chimurenga fought in cold, rough and often impassable terrains. Hope and confidence in their unity and collective power, saw them realise the Vision of their time. That of independence and freedom. The same flames must burn among us, in all corners of this great land, as a united and peace-loving people, so that we realise Vision 2030 and a higher quality of life for all.
“Our modern-day battlegrounds are now spread across all sectors, in agriculture, mining, tourism, manufacturing and in the fields of education and health, as well as the new frontiers of science, innovation and technology. In all these fronts and many others, Zimbabwe must continue rising victorious,” President Mnangagwa said.
The President also highlighted how the good works of Cde Mandeya earned her various awards in her active career.
“The late Air Vice Marshall (Rtd) Mandeya was strategically transferred to the Air Force of Zimbabwe in July 1984, as a non-commissioned member. Her reliability, acquired aptitude, professionalism and dedication to duty saw her rise through the ranks from Flight Lieutenant to Air Commodore.
“In recognition of her loyalty, patriotism, discipline and wholehearted service to our country, I promoted her to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, upon her retirement, in August 2022. The late departed Senior Officer never exuded an unbridled sense of entitlement, but always diligently served in the roles assigned to her.
“She held several military appointments during her illustrious career. These included Base Adjutant at Manyame Air Force Base, Staff Officer Personnel and Administration at the Air Force Headquarters as well as a member of the Directing Staff and the Deputy Commandant at the Zimbabwe Staff College,” the President added.
The Head of State further rallied female officers to follow in the footsteps of Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Mandeya.
“I, therefore, challenge all Zimbabweans, particularly the female members of the security sector as well as those serving across the public and private sectors, to draw lessons and inspiration from the life of our late national heroine. With hard honest work, patriotism, discipline, focus, zeal and consistency, any level of achievement, can be realised. Under the Second Republic, merit, professionalism and hard work, among other key attributes and values of my administration, will always be recognised,” he noted.
Cde Mandeya, a pioneering Senior Officer of the Air Force of Zimbabwe, died on April 28 at a local hospital in Harare, at the age of 64.
She is survived by her son Munyaradzi Valentine Mandeya.
