Story by Peter Chivhima
GOVERNMENT and ruling party leaders in Mashonaland Central have consoled the Mupamaonde family after the death of Cde Elison Mupamaonde, who was declared a national hero.
A high powered delegation of government officials visited the Mupamaonde family in Centenary to pay their condolences Monday night.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe, read the letter conferring national hero status to the family, highlighting the recognition of his bravery and courage in the liberation struggle.
“Cde Soft Diet, as he was affectionately known, was a brave cadre, and no one can deny that. One of the things we heard about him is that he downed an enemy plane. That was a big thing.”
The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, who is also ZANU PF Muzarabani District Coordinating Committee Chairperson, consoled the Mupamaonde family on behalf of the ruling party.
“We are happy that Cde Mupamaonde has been declared a national hero. Yes, we were grieving, but we have solace. He is one of the men who sacrificed his childhood. Some youngsters spend their time doing what they love, these days on things like the Internet. He did not have that privilege,” he said.
Delivering his condolence message, Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Christopher Magomo said the province has been robbed of a decorated war hero.
“We accompanied our Provincial Chairman to pay our respects to the Mupamaonde family. It is a befitting honour for what Cde Soft Diet did, and we celebrate his achievements although we are in mourning,” he said.
Family Spokesperson Mr Peter Mushayavanhu thanked the President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, for honouring Cde Mupamaonde with national hero status.
“This is a sad loss for our family. We are mourning the loss of a pillar of strength in our family. However, we feel honoured at the hero status bestowed upon my brother.”
Known to many in the liberation struggle as Cde Dubulani Mlotshwa, and affectionately called Soft Diet or Magara Sadza, Cde Dubulani joined the liberation struggle in 1972.
He travelled through Botswana and stayed in Francistown, where he witnessed the busy courts during the turbulent period surrounding the 1971 referendum, when the people boldly voted “No.”
Even before crossing into full military training, he had already demonstrated courage and resistance, participating in strikes in Bulawayo alongside comrades such as his brother Ndafa (Cde Goronga), Chikono, Makuvise, and Bonnie Chiyanike.
From Botswana, he made his way to Mwembeshi, Zambia, in 1972. In 1973, he and others were sent to Morogoro for military training, where they underwent six months of rigorous Commando instruction.
Under the leadership of camp commanders and instructors such as Chief of Staff Javen Maseko, tacticians like Jack Mpofu, Dugu (who taught topography), Gkagisa (medical training), and OAU representatives, including Major Dakor from Ghana, Cde Dubulani was shaped into a disciplined and formidable combatant.
When dynamics shifted within the liberation movement and certain cadres were selected for specialised instruction, he was chosen for advanced training abroad.
In January 1974, under the command of Nikita Mangena, he was sent to Ukraine for specialised artillery training.
There, Cde Dubulani learned to operate the Strela-2 heat-seeking missile a highly sophisticated Russian weapon. He would later become the first to operate it in combat.
On February 12 1979, during what became known as Operation Disrupt Tourism, he downed Air Rhodesia Flight 827 (a Viscount aircraft) in Kariba. The act shook the Ian Smith regime at the height of the war and sent a powerful message that the liberation struggle had entered a decisive phase.
Beyond the guerrilla was a husband and father of six.
Beyond the commander was a proud grandfather to thirteen grandchildren.
Mourners are gathered at Chipiri farm in Centenary.
