Story by Memory Chamisa
MASHONALAND West Province on Saturday paid its final respects to National Hero Major General (Rtd) Evaristo Dzihwema, whose body was flown from Harare to his Lyndhurst Farm in Norton before being taken to his rural home in Makoni District, Manicaland Province.
Major General (Rtd) Dzihwema died in India on 25 June while receiving medical treatment and was subsequently conferred National Hero status in recognition of his contribution to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
Family members, friends, provincial leaders and mourners gathered at the farm to bid farewell before the body departed for Kamusoko Village in the Tanda area of Makoni District, where it will lie in state ahead of burial on Monday.
The late liberation war icon’s younger brother, Mr Martin Nzuwa, said the family would continue to draw inspiration from the values he instilled.
“We have come to the farm where my brother spent most of his time. He had planted his wheat, but God had other plans. We take solace in the fact that he united us as a family and instilled values that we will cherish forever,” he said.
Family friend Cde Jessica Tapfumaneyi thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa for conferring National Hero status on the late military officer.
“May the Dzihwema family find comfort in God… As a province, we also thank the President for honouring one of our own with National Hero status,” she said.
ZANU PF Mashonaland West Provincial Chairperson Cde Mary Mliswa described the conferment of National Hero status as a source of comfort to both the bereaved family and the province.
“We are all grieving… The President has also comforted the people of Mashonaland West by recognising his immense contribution. We sincerely thank him for honouring our province,” she said.
ZANU PF Central Committee member Cde Philip Chiyangwa remembered Major General (Rtd) Dzihwema as a humble leader committed to economic development and youth empowerment.
“He was a humble man with a deep understanding of economic development. We worked together in various development initiatives where he consistently championed youth empowerment… We have lost a dedicated cadre who remained humble and respectful regardless of one’s position,” he said.
The body of Major General (Rtd) Dzihwema has since been taken to his rural homestead in Kamusoko Village, Tanda area, Makoni District, where it will lie in state ahead of burial on Monday.
