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Harare Bureau

Family representatives of national hero and military guru Brigadier General (Retired) Shadreck Dingani Ndabambi will be meeting Government officials today to fix a burial day of the war veteran who died last Wednesday at his farm in Glendale, Mashonaland Central.

Brig Gen Ndabambi, a decorated war veteran, was declared a national hero on Saturday in recognition of his illustrious revolutionary career that he executed before and after independence.

He collapsed at his farm in Glendale and was pronounced dead on arrival at Bindura General Hospital.

In an interview yesterday, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Permanent Secretary Ambassador Raphael Faranisi said the processes leading to the interment of the national hero had begun and a meeting would be convened with family members.

“We are meeting tomorrow with the family to decide the best possible day of burial. We will be telling them what the State will do but more importantly we will meet to decide on a burial date. Once we agree on it, we will brief our principal and agree on a best possible day,” said Amb Faranisi.

He said once a person was declared national hero, the State assumed responsibility for the funeral moving together with the family.

The conferment of national hero status was conveyed on Saturday by Zanu-PF National Political Commissar, Cde Munyaradzi Machacha on a visit to the family in Glendale. Brig Gen Ndabambi had diligently served his country and deserved national recognition.

“The late Brig-Gen (Rtd) Ndabambi has been declared a national hero by President Mnangagwa and this is a testament to the roles he played during the liberation struggle and post-independence. He also served in assignments outside the country on peacekeeping missions,” Cde Machacha said.

“He executed his job professionally, with bravery, determination and loyalty, which resulted in him being elevated to the position of brigadier-general. We did not doubt that he deserved the honour of being a national hero.”

War Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs Minister Monica Mavhunga said Brig-Gen (Rtd) Ndabambi had not only contributed to the liberation struggle but the development of the country as well. We want to thank President Mnangagwa for the honour that he has given to the late Brig-Gen (Rtd) Ndabambi,” she said.

“He did not only liberate the country from white colonialism as a war veteran, but he was now contributing to the economic development of the country through agriculture at his farm.

“The morning he collapsed he was preparing to take some of his farm produce to the market. He was leading by example, playing a role in the economic development of the country,” she said.

Family spokesperson Mr Solomon Musaka said: “We want to thank His Excellency, President Mnangagwa. This is really a huge honour. It’s a first in the family. May I also extend my gratitude to Zanu PF as a party, the Politburo, Central Committee and all structures of the party.”

Mourners are gathered at Plot 7, Virginia Farm, in Glendale.