Story by John Nhandara
Former Mashonaland East Governor Cde Abraham Kabasa who succumbed to cancer on Saturday, has been declared a national hero.
The message on the conferment of national hero status to Cde Abraham Kabasa was delivered to the family by ZANU PF National Chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri at the family home in Waterfalls, Harare, this Wednesday evening.
In delivering the message, Cde Muchinguri Kashiri, who was accompanied by the ZANU PF party’s leadership and senior Mashonaland East provincial members, said the decision was arrived at after considering Cde Kabasa’s immense contribution during the liberation struggle and after independence.
“We have been sent by the President with a condolence message following the death of Cde Kabasa. The nation is mourning with you. We have been sent to let you know that Cde Kabasa has been declared a national hero. His Excellency, the President and First Secretary of the party has conferred national hero status on Cde Kabasa,” she said.
Family spokesperson Headman Christopher Kabasa thanked government for the befitting recognition, while son to the late, Maxwell Kabasa, described his father as a patriotic cadre who loved his country.
“We are very grateful because of this recognation. It shows how the party considers my brothers contribution to the liberation struggle,” he said.
Maxwell said, “He was a dedicated cadre and you could not separate him from his politics. He had the commitment to see his country go forward.”
Born in Mutoko in 1932, Cde Kabasa died on Saturday at his home in Waterfalls after battling cancer for a long time.
At the peak of the liberation struggle between 1976 and 1979, the late, who was a medical practitioner by profession and by then in charge of Makosa Rural Hospital became heavily involved in the struggle by supplying drugs, clothes and shoes to the comrades.
He would treat wounded freedom fighters in undercover operations.
Upon the attainment of independence, Cde Kabasa became one of the ten Members of parliament for Mashonaland East province in 1980.
He also served as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and in 1990, he was appointed Mashonaland East Governor.
Cde Kabasa is survived by his wife Mirriam Kabasa, 11 children and 19 grandchildren.
Mourners are gathered at House Number 440 Wickham Road, Uplands, Waterfalls in Harare.
Burial arrangements will be announced in due course.