Story by John Nhandara
Brigadier General (Rtd) Elasto Madzingira who died on the 7th of this month has been declared a national hero.
He will be buried at the national shrine at a date to be advised.
Harare Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Charles Tawengwa who delivered the news to the family at their home in Harare’s Greendale suburb this Sunday, said the national hero status was in recognition of Brigadier General (Rtd) Madzingira’s immense contribution during and after the liberation struggle.
“The late together with his two other brothers crossed into Mozambique to join the liberation struggle in 1978 where he trained at Inhamhinga. He then worked as a medical officer back home. He worked in the Airforce of Zimbabwe before joining the Zimbabwe National Army in 1985 where he retired 10 years later,” said Senator Tawengwa.
While expressing gratitude to the ZANU PF party and government for the national hero status, the family described the late as an honest man.
“He was an honest and straightforward man. We feel honoured for such a gesture where our brother has been accorded national hero status,” said the family spokesperson, Wing Commander (Rtd) Wilmore Madzingira.
Born in 1958, the late national hero whose Chimurenga name was Ronald Zvenyika joined the liberation struggle with the ZANLA forces in 1978 after abandoning university studies and crossing into Mozambique where he received military training.
He is survived by his wife and six children.
