Story by Peter Chivhima
NATIONAL Hero, Air Commodore (Retired) Simon Brian Bere will be buried on Monday at the National Heroes Acre, with President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa expected to preside over the burial proceedings.
The body of the national hero will be airlifted this Saturday from Charles Gumbo Barracks to his rural home in Zvimhonja, Hurungwe District, Mashonaland West Province, for a provincial send-off.
It will later be taken to his Ansdale Farm near Karoi, where it will lie in state before being airlifted back to Harare on Sunday ahead of burial.
Air Commodore Bere joined the liberation struggle in 1978 alongside other cadres to free Zimbabwe from colonial rule.
He passed away on April 24, and in recognition of his contribution to the nation, Government conferred him with National Hero status on Thursday.
Speaking at the family home in Bluffhill, Harare this Friday, relatives expressed gratitude for the honour bestowed on Air Commodore (Rtd) Bere.
“As the Bere family, we are grateful for the honour bestowed on our own Air Commodore (Rtd) Bere. This is what he fought for in freeing Zimbabwe from colonial rule. We want to thank the government,” a relative, Mr Sylvester Bere said.
Another family member, Mr Aaron Bere, outlined the funeral programme.
“The body of the national hero will be airlifted from Charles Gumbo Barracks to his rural home in Zvimhonja, Mashonaland West Province. After that, it will be airlifted to his Ansdale Farm in Karoi, where it will lie. On Sunday, the body will be airlifted to Harare, where it will lie in state at Charles Gumbo Barracks ahead of burial on Monday,” Aaron Bere said.
Born in Hurungwe, Mashonaland West Province in 1959, Air Commodore (Rtd) Bere joined the liberation struggle in 1978.
After independence, he was attested into the Air Force of Zimbabwe as an Aircraftsman in 1981.
Through hard work, the distinguished Air Officer rose through the ranks to become Group Captain.
He was elevated to the rank of Air Commodore upon retirement in 2024.
He is survived by his wife Reginah and three children.
