Chief Mangwende declared liberation hero Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi leads Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo, Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri during the body viewing of Chief Mangwende in Harare yesterday
Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi leads Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo, Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri during the body viewing of Chief Mangwende in Harare yesterday

Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi leads Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo, Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri during the body viewing of Chief Mangwende in Harare yesterday

Herald Reporter
Former president of the Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs, Chief Mangwende, Jonathan Tafirenyika Chibanda has been declared a liberation hero. He will be buried this afternoon at Mukarakate Village in Murehwa. Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa yesterday said President Mugabe had conferred the late Chief Mangwende with a liberation hero status.
He said people should not mourn, but celebrate the life of a chief who was an icon.

“I am happy many people came to celebrate the life of our leader. He has done his job well and it is time for him to rest.
“People should sing Christian songs, those who dance Jerusarema should do so and we do not encourage people to cry, but to dance as we celebrate his good works,” he said.

Cde Mudarikwa said Chief Mangwende was active in sports and supported netball in Murewa.
“He united people. He taught us to be united in times of troubles,” he said.

Many people described Chief Mangwende as a hard working, selfless and faithful cadre who worked for the development of his area and nation as a whole.

The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Ignatius Chombo said Chief Mangwende was influential in developmental issues and played a big role in the land reform programme.

“I knew Chief Mangwende as a chief in Murehwa and also as the president of the Council of Chiefs. During his term he advocated for the improvement of chiefs’ welfare.

“It was during his presidency that chiefs received vehicles,” he said.
Minister Chombo said although Chief Mangwende had an important post, he was humble and worked well with others.

He said Chief Mangwende was well versed in the traditional culture and had the best qualities of leadership.
“Chief Mangwende was exemplary to the nation. We have lost an advisor,” he said. Sub-chief Murape, Tendai Mungate said Chief Mangwende is one of the chiefs who fought against the rule of the colonial masters.

“He resisted colonial rule and we respect his dedication towards the nation,” he said.
Chief Mangwende was unanimously elected president of the Chiefs Council in July 1991, succeeding Chief Zephania Charumbira, who died earlier that year.

He served until 2005.
Mourners who gathered for his memorial service in Harare included Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mabel Chinomona, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Biggie Matiza, Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Saviour Kasukuwere and numerous chiefs.

Chief Mangwende trained as a teacher at Nyadire Teachers’ College in Mutoko in 1957 and in 1969 he was appointed chief. He was elected to the third Council of Chiefs in 1973 and was also elected senator in 1974. He was a member of the Chibero Agricultural College Council from 1973 to 1975.

Chief Mangwende died on Monday in South Africa where he was receiving treatment.
He was 77.

He is survived by 17 children, 32 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Mourners are gathered at his homestead in Mukarakate Village in Murehwa.

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