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Nokuthaba Brita Ncube [email protected]
PRESIDENT and first secretary of Zanu PF Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa has accorded a Liberation Heroine status to Cde Fidelia Maphosa (75) who died on 14 October 2024 at a Bulawayo hospital.
The late veteran was buried on 19 October 2024 at Nkulumane Provincial Heroes Acre in Bulawayo following a request for the heroine status by Zanu PF Bulawayo province.
She is survived by two sons and seven grandchildren; four girls and three boys.
According to Zanu PF provincial chairman Mr Jabulani Sibanda’s request report, she was born on 27 December 1949 at St Joseph’s Mission in Kezi.
“The late Cde Maphosa did her primary education at Lobengula primary school from Sub A to Standard 6 and obtained Division 1,” reads the request.
“She further went to Secondary at Mpopoma High School where she sat for Rhodesia Junior Certificate in 1965 and obtained a full Junior Certificate. In 1966 continued her education at the same school up to ‘O’ Level and obtained a certificate.”
From 1973 to 1992, the late Cde Maphosa worked at Leonard Clothing Factory as a Machinist.
1996 to 2001, she was employed by Zanu PF as a Coordinator in Mpopoma Sub Office from 1996 to 2001.
She was upgraded to be a Woman Officer in the Provincial Women’s League Office from 2001 to date.
Mr Sibanda noted that from 1972 to 1988 she was elected the Secretary for Administration for the Mabuthweni Residents Association under the chairmanship of Ernest Mlilo (late).

She became a BURA Committee member under the Chairmanship of the late Edward Simela from 1988 to 1992.
“From 1993 to 2006 she became the Treasurer for Mabuthweni Residents Association under the chairmanship of the late Cde Joshua Mafu,” reads the request report.
In 1968 the late Comrade Maphosa became actively involved in politics as a youth, with the likes of the late Comrades Nellie Dupute, Orpha Ncube, Mama Savara, Mama Hikwa, Absalom Sikhosana and Comrades Liziwe Mhodi and Sophie Dlamini.”
In 1970 she was elected the Secretary for Administration for the ZAWU Mabuthweni branch, a position she held up to 1978.
From 1978 to 1980 the late Comrade was elected Secretary for Administration for Mayihlome District, ZAWU wing after ZAPU was split into 8 new districts, 1980 she was elected Provincial Secretary for Administration for Matabeleland North West Province, the position she served up to 1989.
The late comrade Maphosa was elected Secretary for Administration in the new ZANU PF Women’s League for Bulawayo Province in 1989.
“She was elected to the Central Committee through the Women Quota System. She served on this position for three terms (15 years) and in 2014 she was not successful and became a member of the N.C.A. the position she held up to the time of her death on 14 October 2024.”
The late Comrade Maphosa attended the Chitepo School of Ideology seminar that was held on 1 and 2 October 2016. In 2018 she also attended the Hebert Chitepo School of Ideology workshop for women and youth National Executive members at ZIPAM from 12 to 18 February 2018.
“The late Comrade Maphosa was arrested several times during the Liberation Struggle. By that virtue, she is a member of the Political Ex-Detainees Association (ZEPEDRA),” reads the request.
“She was a Provincial Treasurer in the Association, the position she held up to the time of her death.”