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Sikhumbuzo Moyo and Raymond Jaravaza, Chronicle Writers

YOUTHS should learn from the country’s liberation stalwarts so that they have an appreciation of the country’s journey towards self determination, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube said yesterday.

She was speaking during the memorial service for the late national hero and pioneer liberation fighter, General (Retired) Cde Makhethi Ndebele at his home in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo.

Minister Ncube’s remarks come at a time when there are renewed attempts by detractors to destabilise the country ahead of the 44th SADC Summit to be held in Harare this month.

The Government has, however, vowed to clampdown on those seeking to cause civil unrest. 

“Our heroes have so much knowledge and wisdom that we must tap into before they depart this world. So, we must learn as much as we can about the history of our great country from elders who sacrificed a lot for Zimbabwe to be an independent and sovereign country,” said Minister Ncube.

“Elders such as the late Cde Jack Mpofu were a fountain of knowledge and the youth could have learnt from him as he was always ready to share his life history and how together with other heroes they fought to free this country.” 

Cde Ndebele was given an emotional send-off in Bulawayo and at his rural home in Mzila Village, Mangwe District ahead of his burial today at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare.

The late former Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (Zipra) High Command member, known by his pseudonym Cde Jack Mpofu, died on July 27 at the age of 82.

He is revered for being one of the pioneer combatants to join the armed struggle and was in 1967 among the first 200 cadres to join the war of liberation. Rising through the ranks, he became a military instructor and trained thousands of guerrilla fighters. 

Yesterday morning, scores of mourners gathered at his rural home to bid Cde Ndebele farewell before his remains were taken to his Cowdray Park suburb for a brief memorial service.

Later, Cde Ndebele’s body was flown to Harare in a military plane ahead of his burial at the National Heroes Acre today. President Mnangagwa will preside over the burial. Addressing mourners at Mzila Village, Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, who was represented by the acting director in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Mr Zachariah Jusa, commended Cde Ndebele for his efforts  towards the country’s liberation.

“The reason why Cde Ndebele together with other liberation stalwarts decided to leave the country to train in Russia and other countries was because of the land. The war did not end there as there were economic sanctions, which were imposed on us by the West after we embarked on the land reform programme,” she said.

“We have lost 24 years because of sanctions. Let us unite just like our freedom fighters who managed to liberate the country because they were united.”

Speaking at the same occasion, Zanu-PF Matabeleland South Women’s League chairperson Cde Sindisiwe Nleya thanked President Mnangagwa for conferring Cde Ndebele with the national hero status.

“As a province in general and Tshitshi villagers in particular we feel greatly appreciated and want to salute President Mnangagwa,” she said.

Meanwhile, Cde Ndebele’s body was seen off at Joshua Mqabuko International Airport by Minister Ncube, service chiefs, and the Zanu-PF leadership in Bulawayo.

Five buses were availed to ferry mourners to the capital city for the burial.

The late national hero’s younger brother Mr Stanley Ndebele said his brother was a fierce fighter during the war of independence from colonial rule.

“My brother walked with a limp from a leg injury that he suffered during the liberation war. He would tell us that one of his comrades stepped on an explosive device that exploded and injured them.

“Unfortunately one of the commanders in that unit died after that explosion from a bomb,” he said.

Mr Ndebele described his late brother as an intelligent man who tried to assist people whenever he could.

“The huge number of mourners who are here to pay their last respects is proof that he was a good man who was loved by family and community from Plumtree and here in Cowdray Park,” he said.

Cde Ndebele’s daughter, Susan described her father as a candid person who never minced his words.

“I am very grateful for the national hero status that has been conferred on my father. His exploits in the liberation war were well known and he has left a huge void in our hearts,” she said.

“He was a person who loved to speak the truth even if it would hurt you. He loved people and always wanted to offer help.”

Cde Ndebele was born on June 6, 1942, under Chief Tshitshi’s area in Mangwe District in Matabeleland South Province. He did his education at Tshitshi Primary School up to Standard Three before going to Embakwe Mission where he continued from Standard Four up to Standard Six.

He worked for the then Government as a pegger before crossing to South Africa. Cde Ndebele was part of the first 200 guerrilla fighters to join the armed struggle after Zapu and Zanu successfully lobbied the Organisation of African Unity to train its members in preparation for the armed struggle in 1967.

He did his training at Morogoro, Tanzania, under the command of Cde Albert Nxele, with Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Russia, Cde Ambrose Mutinhiri, as the chief of staff.

Cde Mpofu was present when ZPRA Commander, Gen Alfred Nikita Mangena was killed in a landmine explosion following an ambush by Rhodesian forces near Kabanga Mission in Zambia on June 28, 1978.