Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
THE Chirinda family has expressed gratitude to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling ZANU PF party for conferring national hero status to one of their own, Cde Jayson William Chezhira Chakaipa Chirinda.
Zanu PF National Political Commissar Cde Munyaradzi Machacha visited Katanya farm in Matepatepa Wednesday night to deliver the message of conferment of National Hero status of Cde Chirinda to his family.
“Jayson William Chezhira Chakaipa Chirinda who died on 27 October 2024 has been declared a national hero, he will be buried at the national heroes’ acre on a day we will agree with the family. The Politburo has agreed unanimously and no one opposed that this man deserves to be a national hero, so that is the message the President sent us.
“We know he is one of the people who went to war at a time it was frightening. We were told about how he went to Zambia stayed with his aunt, trained in Tanzania, Ghana, and we heard his history and how he crossed into the country with Cde Tongogara and he fought in battles at Chimoio.
“He was caught in Chinhoyi, sentenced to death which was later reduced to 20 years in prison. The President told us how he was friends with the late.
“He said he was a short man but threw punches. He spoke of his bravery and steadfastness. He was sentenced to 20 years while the President was sentenced to 10 years,” he said.
Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Christopher Magomo, and ZANU PF Politburo Member Cde Kenneth Musanhi, who accompanied Cde Machacha, also conveyed condolences to the Chirinda family.
“I want to thank the President for the conferment of the hero status. It has given us joy as his fame was deserving. When we cry we mourn with hope. To the family, I say I am grateful. This does not happen to every Talput. It happens to someone with a legacy. As we mourn let’s mourn with hope as he was a steadfast cadre,” said Honorable Magomo.
“I want to thank President Mnangagwa and all the politburo members who endorsed Cde Chirinda as a National Hero. Everyone agreed he is a hero of heroes,” noted Cde Musanhi.
Family spokesperson Mr Davuren Chirinda thanked President Mnangagwa and the ruling party for conferring their loved one national hero status highlighting it was Cde Chirinda’s longstanding wish to be interred at the national shrine.
“On behalf of the Chirinda family we have agreed that my brother be buried at the heroes’ acre and we leave all the work to the government led by His Excellency President Mnangagwa. My brother used to say when he dies, he wanted to be interred at the National Heroes’ Acre. We sat with the family and agreed to honour his wishes,” he said.
Cde Chirinda is survived by his wife and six children.
Mourners are gathered at Plot 39 Katanya farm in Matepatepa.
