Story by Panashe Nagoli
THE body of national hero Cde Cosmas Chiringa will be taken to Manicaland Province this Sunday to allow the community to pay its last respects.
Cde Chiringa, a liberation war veteran and Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, was declared a national hero by President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa following his death on March 9.
Family members described the late national hero as a caring and responsible man who played a central role in supporting his family.
His father, Mr Morgan Chiringa, said his son had been a pillar of strength in the family.
“My son was a very loving person, and from the date he started working, he took on the role of a father, and I am very sad because this is a hard pill to swallow,” he said.
His sister, Irene Chiringa, recalled the day he left to join the liberation struggle.
“I remember the day he left for the liberation struggle. It was a very difficult day, but he came back, and we were very happy. I will always remember him as a father who took care of us,” she said.
His son, Ephraim Chiringa, said his father was passionate about family life and often spoke about the ideals of the liberation struggle.
“His favourite statement was, “a revolutionary never dies,” and it was always on his status and WhatsApp I will miss the fishing and farm days we spent together,” he said.
Family spokesperson Mr Kudakwashe Chiringa outlined the funeral programme.
“The body will leave One Commando tomorrow morning and go to Inyanga, which is where he is from and then go to Rusape, where his farm is.”
At the time of his passing, Cde Chiringa was survived by his wife, four children and six grandchildren.
Mourners are gathered at the family residence in Newlands, Harare.
