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Wallace Ruzvidzo, Harare Bureau

No amount of economic chicanery, mudslinging and discord should be allowed to derail the country’s irreversible course to modernisation industrialisation and development, President Mnangagwa has said.
In his address at the interment of National Hero Cde Tinaye Chigudu at the National Heroes’ Acre yesterday, the President said Zimbabwe was marching forward.

Thus, the President added, the country’s interests must remain the general citizenry’s core focus.
“In every sector, province by province, let us remain focused, disciplined and work harder towards the attainment of Vision 2030.

“No amount of economic chicanery, mudslinging and discord should be allowed or entertained to derail our irreversible course to modernise, industrialise and develop our country. We are marching forward ever, backwards never.

“The long-enduring spirit of national pride and collective loyalty to the nation remains our cardinal beacon.
“As citizens of this country, wherever we are and whatever socio-economic activities we may be undertaking, the interests of Zimbabwe must remain at the core of our focus as we build our country brick by brick, stone upon stone. Zimbabwe inyika yechipikirwa,” he said.

As such, President Mnangagwa rallied all Zimbabweans both within the country and those in the diaspora to pull in the same direction as one people, for the achievement of national aspirations.

President Mnangagwa

Zimbabwe envisages to attain upper-middle-income economic status by 2030.
“We have this duty, not only for the present generations but the future as well. Together, under our watch, in Government, the private sector and the communities as a whole, moving forward hand in hand; in peace and unity; with one common objective, Zimbabwe shall be a beacon of prosperity which shines brighter and brighter.

“Together, emboldened by our collective unity of purpose, let us modernise, industrialise and develop the Zimbabwe that we are proud of and for the benefit of future generations,” he said.

To this end, the President urged the general citizenry to remain focused as the country marches towards Vision 2030.
“Much more work is still before us. We cannot tire or lose heart. Let us maintain our focus and discipline to build the Zimbabwe we all want.

“None but ourselves have this weighty obligation. We must, therefore, remain bold and confident in our abilities as a proud, truly independent African people with our national character embedded in a rich liberation heritage.
“Our sacred national flag is a constant reminder of what we are as a people and our national anthem is our daily prayer to Almighty God as a petition on behalf of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” said President Mnangagwa.

As Zimbabwe continues to progress, the President said it was imperative that Zimbabweans keep on embracing unity, peace, love and tolerance, for those with divergent views.

“For these are the defining features of our country’s national virtues. The late National Hero, Cde Chigudu, demonstrated unquestionable patriotism, loyalty, consistency and persistence.
“These must always be guiding principles for every Zimbabwean as we undertake our different national responsibilities,” he said.

National Heroes’ Acre

In respect of the national hero, President Mnangagwa said Cde Chigudu’s death had dealt a major blow to the country as he had contributed invaluably before and after the country’s independence. “On behalf of the Government, our revolutionary mass Party, Zanu-PF, our Nation, my family and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to once again express my deepest heartfelt condolences to the Chigudu family at the sorrowful loss of their loved one and our dedicated patriot.

“Our late National Hero, Cde Chigudu, was among many brave, selfless sons and daughters of the soil who took a stand and fought for our Independence.

“He is honoured as one of the first combatants to be sent for training in North Korea under the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), the military wing of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (Zapu).

“He was deployed as an intelligence operative in the then Salisbury.”
The President narrated how Cde Chigudu undertook “risky and critical mission tasks” during the liberation struggle, responsibilities which helped to gather information regarding the modus operandi of the racist Rhodesian forces.
“This was instrumental in assisting the guerrilla war command element in the planning and execution of special military operations.

“As he continued to pursue his important mission, the late National Hero, Cde Chigudu, was unfortunately captured, detained and imprisoned for 12 years by the Rhodesian settler regime.
“This could never deter or hamper his bravery and revolutionary spirit, including the desire to see a free and independent Zimbabwe.

“Upon his release from prison, he crossed into Zambia, re-united with comrades and resumed his duties as we waged the protracted armed war of liberation,” he said.

President Mnangagwa then outlined the late national hero’s contributions post-independence.
“After the attainment of independence in 1980, the late National Hero, Cde Chigudu, joined the Government as an Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Transport.

“Due to his hard work ethic and dedication to national service, he was promoted to Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs before his elevation to the position of Permanent Secretary in the same Ministry. Cde Chigudu also served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines, thereafter as Governor for Manicaland Province.

“He also served as Zanu-PF Chairman for the same Province, always accepting deployment with humility and without a sense of entitlement,” he said.

The President described Cde Chigudu as an unwavering patriot, whose legacy of service must be emulated by current and future generations.

“Our departed National Hero, Cde Chigudu was a principled and ideologically rooted cadre who actively participated within the ruling Zanu-PF Party and Government, with unflinching allegiance, loyalty and commitment.

“He was a fountain of wisdom who offered sound counsel and advice in conducting both Party and Government business, drawing from his vast experience and institutional memory.

“He always exuded the virtues of straight-forwardness and frankness in every aspect of life. His integrity, sense of excellence, adherence to truth and honesty left an indelible mark on our body politic,” he said.
Contributions by such dedicated cadres, he said, should never be forgotten.

“Let us never forget that it is through the selfless sacrifices and dedication to duty demonstrated by the late National Hero, Cde Chigudu, and many other departed and living cadres that Zimbabwe continues to enjoy peace, stability, unity and development as an independent, sovereign and democratic state.

“I, therefore, call upon all Zimbabweans to remain vigilant as we protect, preserve and consolidate the achievements realised in our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” said President Mnangagwa.

The burial was attended by Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Zanu-PF Politburo and Central Committee members and other senior Government officials.