Story by Memory Chamisa
THE late diplomat, Ambassador John Shumba Mvundura has been declared a national hero and will be buried at the national shrine on Wednesday.
Delivering the message to the Mvundura family on the conferment of national hero status on the late Ambassador in Harare this Monday evening, ZANU PF Politburo member Lieutenant General (Retired) Mike Nyambuya said the honour comes after a unanimous decision by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the presidium, and the ZANU PF Politburo.
“I have been sent by the President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa to confer the national hero status on the late who we all know was patriotic and loved his country as he served in different countries as Ambassador and in the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
“From the days of the liberation struggle through independence he was a principled man who courageously fought and defended the dove of this country,” he said.
The Mvundura family welcomed the government’s decision, describing the late national hero as a unifier.
“My brother was a man who loved us all considering how big the family was,” Mr George Mvundura said.
“He motivated us to work and become prosperous, which the clan has emulated and passed on. Sadly, he is no more but we also celebrate him for his work and love and now that he has been declared a national hero he has even brought pride in his death to the family.”
“Our father was a family man who loved us all 10 children. During his diplomatic service, he took all of us to all the countries he served and ensured we all got a good education. He motivated us to aspire to greater things in life and even his grandchildren,” Ms Janet Mvundura, daughter to the late diplomat said.
The late Ambassador Mvundura died on Wednesday last week at St Anne’s Hospital after battling liver cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Perpetua, eight children and several grandchildren.
