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Yoliswa Dube-Moyo, Mat South Bureau Chief
Hard work and unity of purpose will help spur the country towards its vision of being an upper middle income economy by 2030.

Speaking during the burial of the late liberation war hero Cde Joseph Ncube at the provincial heroes acre here on Wednesday, Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Abednico Ncube said a united people can achieve more.

“Men and women like Cde Joseph Ncube deserve to be honoured for the role they played to liberate this great nation. I call upon everyone here to work hard and develop Zimbabwe so that we achieve our vision to become an upper middle income economy by the year 2030. I need to emphasise on the need of unity among the people of Gwanda District in particular, Matabeleland South and Zimbabwe as a whole. A united people can achieve more so let us carry on from where our heroes and heroines left,” said Minister Ncube.

He said Zimbabwe is a sovereign and independent nation because of the sacrifices made by the likes of the late Cde Ncube.

“This would not have been possible without determination, dedication and commitment. We are forever grateful for their selfless courage and sacrifice. It is no secret that our independence did not come on a silver platter but many lost their lives while others were injured, detained in prisons and tortured. We forever guard jealously the sovereignty and independence of our nation brought to us by such gallant sons,” said Cde Ncube.

He thanked President Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu-PF party for conferring provincial hero status on Cde Ncube in recognition of his immense contribution during the country’s protracted liberation struggle.

Matabeleland South War Veterans Provincial Secretary Cde Jabulani Dube described the late Cde Ncube as a peace-loving man.

“He was a quiet, soft-spoken someone who was into mining. I first got to know Cde Ncube through mining and he later told me about where he operated during the liberation struggle. We had made plans to work on a mining project together but unfortunately they didn’t materialise,” said Cde Dube.

The late Cde Ncube crossed into Botswana and proceeded to Zambia for military training after which he was deployed to Hurungwe.

At independence he went to Mashumbi Pools Assembly Point and afterwards, he was attested to the Zimbabwe National Army.

He retired in 1988 and worked as a miner at Vumbachikwe.

He is survived by a wife, two children and seven grandchildren. – @Yolisswa