Story by Online Reporter
PRESIDENT Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has paid tribute to Ambassador Victor Matemadanda, describing him as a dedicated liberation war veteran, soldier, politician and diplomat whose contribution to Zimbabwe’s freedom and development will remain etched in the nation’s history.
In a condolence message following Ambassador Matemadanda’s death Saturday night, President Mnangagwa said the nation had lost a committed patriot who devoted his life to the liberation struggle, national service and the welfare of war veterans.
“May they derive solace from the exceptional contribution which Ambassador Matemadanda made towards the freedom and development of his people whom he so deeply loved,” President Mnangagwa said in a message addressed to the bereaved family.
Ambassador Matemadanda, who was serving as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique and Eswatini, traced his involvement in nationalist politics and the liberation struggle to his youth while living in Zambia as part of the Zimbabwean migrant community that had fled colonial Rhodesia.
The President said Matemadanda abandoned a comfortable life in Zambia to join the liberation struggle, initially working with nationalist leaders, including the late Patrick Kombayi, to mobilise support for freedom fighters and refugees in camps in Zambia and Mozambique.
His role later expanded to include transporting war materials using large Scania trucks to operational forward points during the liberation war.
Following Independence, Matemadanda joined the Zimbabwe National Army, where he served with distinction before becoming a prominent figure in the leadership of war veterans and ZANU PF.
President Mnangagwa noted that Matemadanda remained steadfast in defending the interests and welfare of war veterans, efforts that resulted in repeated incarceration during the First Republic.
“He served his country with loyalty and utmost distinction,” the President said.
The Head of State also credited Matemadanda with bringing renewed energy to the ruling party during his tenure as National Political Commissar before his redeployment to the diplomatic service.
President Mnangagwa said Ambassador Matemadanda distinguished himself as Zimbabwe’s envoy to Mozambique and Eswatini, particularly through his efforts to identify, preserve and rehabilitate liberation war shrines and burial sites in Mozambique where Zimbabwean freedom fighters are interred.
“He pushed very hard to have all such burial sites and shrines properly rehabilitated as a show of our respect and dignity to our fallen heroes and heroines,” the President said.
Describing the rehabilitation of liberation heritage sites as a project that had become Matemadanda’s passion, President Mnangagwa pledged that Government would continue the work.
“It is sad that he has been snatched away from us before completing this vast project which summoned all his attention and energies. Under my direction, the Second Republic will ensure these revered sites and shrines are rehabilitated and properly curated,” he said.
The President extended condolences on behalf of Government, ZANU PF, his family and himself to Matemadanda’s widow, children and relatives.
“On behalf of the Party, ZANU PF, Government, my Family and my behalf, I wish to express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the bereaved Matemadanda Family, especially to Amai Matemadanda and the children in this their hour of profound grief,” he said.
Ambassador Matemadanda died on Saturday and leaves behind a legacy spanning the liberation struggle, military service, politics, diplomacy and the preservation of Zimbabwe’s liberation heritage.
