Zimbabwe bids farewell to National Hero Cde William Jaison Chirinda

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Thousands gathered at the National Heroes Acre on Monday to honour and lay to rest Cde William Jaison Chirinda, a decorated liberation war hero known by his Chimurenga name, Cde Chezhira Chakaipa.
The sombre ceremony was led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who paid tribute to Chirinda’s lifelong contributions to Zimbabwe’s independence and resilience.


Chirinda, who passed away on October 27, 2024, at the age of 82, was celebrated as a steadfast patriot who risked his life in the 1960s for Zimbabwe’s freedom from colonial rule. He was among the pioneers of Zimbabwe’s armed struggle, participating in the landmark Battle of Sinoia (now Chinhoyi), a critical confrontation against the Rhodesian regime. Despite being captured, sentenced to death, and later having his sentence commuted to life imprisonment, Chirinda remained resolute in his commitment to a free Zimbabwe.

Born in 1942 in Madziva, Mashonaland Central, Chirinda grew up witnessing the racial injustices inflicted by the colonial government. Motivated by the dispossession and impoverishment experienced by Zimbabwean communities, he joined the liberation struggle in 1965 and underwent military training in Tanzania and later in China. He returned to lead one of the forces involved in the Battle of Sinoia in 1966, a moment that would ignite Zimbabwe’s liberation movement and solidify his reputation as a brave freedom fighter.


President Mnangagwa, who served time in prison alongside Chirinda, lauded him for his unwavering courage, describing him as a “disciplined veteran freedom fighter” and “an embodiment of humility, patriotism, and selfless leadership.”
Chirinda’s capture and incarceration were marked by inhumane treatment by the Rhodesian regime, but he and other freedom fighters persevered until Zimbabwe attained independence in 1980.
Following his release, Chirinda continued serving his country in various capacities, including roles within the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Ministry of Information, and the National Railways of Zimbabwe. In his later years, he dedicated himself to farming in Mashonaland Central, embodying the resilience and resourcefulness that defined his life.

The Battle of Sinoia, where Chirinda fought, was a strategic and symbolic event that demonstrated Zimbabweans’ determination to resist colonial oppression. The encounter, which saw Chirinda’s group face overwhelming odds, galvanized national support for the independence struggle. As President Mnangagwa highlighted, “The pioneering Chinhoyi Battle signalled to the world that Zimbabweans had the resolve to execute an armed struggle for freedom, independence, sovereignty, and democracy.”
The President urged young Zimbabweans to emulate Chirinda’s character, stressing the need for national unity and loyalty. “In this development stage of our country, we need more young boys and girls, men and women, who have the same tenacity to push the national vision forward,” he said, encouraging citizens to continue fighting for Zimbabwe’s prosperity across various fields, from science and education to social services and infrastructure.
During the ceremony, Mnangagwa also spoke on Zimbabwe’s continued demand for the repatriation of the remains of liberation heroes still held in foreign institutions. He reiterated that the spirits of Zimbabwe’s fallen heroes would not rest until they are interred in their homeland. President Mnangagwa linked Chirinda’s sacrifices to the broader struggle against colonial injustices, underscoring Zimbabwe’s pursuit of reparations for the trauma and exploitation endured during colonial rule. Last week, he launched a study led by the Zimbabwe National Elders Forum, documenting the “untold stories of crimes, injustices, trauma, and losses” suffered during the colonial era.
The study and calls for reparations underscore Zimbabwe’s demands for justice from the British government and reflect ongoing efforts to preserve the memory and sacrifices of freedom fighters like Chirinda.
As the ceremony drew to a close, President Mnangagwa bid farewell to his fellow freedom fighter: “To our dearly departed hero, I say to you, my dear comrade and pioneering veteran of the liberation struggle, ‘Go well, Son of the Soil, Go well, our distinguished stalwart.’” The final farewell was marked by the traditional words, “Zororai murugare Gamba remaGamba, Lala ngokuthula Qhawe lamaQhawe” — resting in peace, a hero among heroes

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