Story by Peter Chivhima
THE Late National Hero Cde Jaison Chirinda has been described as a hardworking and dedicated cadre.
The people of the Nyatsime area in Chitungwiza gathered at Denota Primary School to bid farewell to their beloved National Hero, Cde Jaison Chirinda William Chezhira Chakaipa.
Those who knew described him as a good man.
“Cde Chirinda was a good man and we have lost a man who was so dedicated. He was ready to see our nation developing and we say rest in peace Cde.”
“We used to interact with him here and never a single day did I hear of him quarreling with people. He was a good man and he also taught his children to follow in his footsteps.”
The Chirinda Family and the local political leadership expressed their gratitude for the conferment of national hero status on the late Cde Chirinda.
“We have lost a family unifier. Our father used to tell us to follow in his footsteps. Most importantly I want to thank His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the entire Politburo for according to our father a national hero status,” said Mr Tendai Chirinda.
“As a Member of Parliament of this area, I want to thank President Emmerson Mnangagwa for remembering us by bestowing a national hero status on Cde Chirinda. He was our advisor in this area and I remember during elections he played a critical role,” Honourable Godwin Tavaziva said.
After Nyatsime, the national hero’s body was flown to his rural home in Matepatepa Mashonaland Central Province to allow friends, family and community members to pay their respects as part of a series of tributes honouring Cde Chirinda’s unwavering dedication to Zimbabwe.
The late Cde William Chezhira Chirinda was born on the 1st of September 1942 in Goora, Madziwa in Mashonaland Central Province where he lived with his family during his early years.
He joined the armed liberation struggle in 1965 and went to Tanzania for military training at the 3 Leaves Brigade.
Cde Chirinda later went to China for further military training and when he returned, him and others were tasked to carry out military operations against the Rhodesian Forces in Sinoia (Chinhoyi).
He was later arrested for his active participation in politics and put in prison together with renowned revolutionaries including Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, Cde Victor Mlambo, Cde Lloyd Gunda, Cde William Ndangana, Cde Herbert Samba, Cde Dzangasi Dube, and Cde Benjamin Mahaka.
He is survived by his wife Monica Muchenje, 6 children and 19 grandchildren.
Cde Chirinda’s body will be flown back to Harare this Sunday where it will lie in state at Charles Gumbo barracks ahead of burial at the National Heroes acre on Monday.
