Liberation war hero Kanengoni laid to rest Alexader Kanengoni

KANENGONI ALEXANDER (3)Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent
Liberation war hero and former Patriot deputy editor Cde Alexander Kanengoni, who died on Tuesday in Harare, was buried at his Nyamanetsa Farm in Centenary yesterday.

Cde Kanengoni (65) was an internationally acclaimed author and a war veteran.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Provincial Administrator Mr Cosmas Chiringa, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Mashonaland Central Cde Martin Dinha said the nation had lost a hero who through his prolific writing skills had educated the nation about Zimbabwe’s history.

He said Cde Kanengoni was endowed with skills that enabled him to impart knowledge and appropriate attitudes to the young generation.

“Being a well-grounded author, the late Cde Kanengoni made a mark through his incisive and thought-provoking contributions to various newspapers and organisations. He was a naturally gifted writer and novelist who commanded a lot of respect in the journalism and literary fraternities,” he said.

“His writings highlighted the broader dynamics of the liberation struggle, as he sought to defend Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and nationalistic ideals. Such a philosophy permeated his editorial leadership at The Patriot, exemplified by his profound analysis of national and international political developments.”

Zimbabwe Heritage chief executive officer Mr Pritchard Zhou said Cde Kanengoni was a fountain of wisdom who had left a legacy to be emulated.

He said Zimbabwe Heritage mandate’s was to inform, educate and this was why they had sought the services of a distinguished person such as Cde Kanengoni.

“Black people despise themselves as they do not have the knowledge of their roots, it is shallow. We were colonised and turned to be slaves by other nations and this is why we decided to have the School of Heritage to focus on research and teach generations to come about who we are and where we came from.”

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ chairman Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa paid tribute to Cde Kanengoni for the hard work he did during the struggle.

“We are today burying a man with intellectual knowledge that contributed in winning the war against the Rhodesians. Cde Kanengoni was a man with political ideology that made different units in war to unite and fight for a good cause. I want to thank everyone who has come to send off this cadre,” he said.

Cde Kandengoni leaves behind five children and five grandchildren.

Born on September 17, 1951, Cde Kanengoni trained as a teacher and taught at several schools before joining the liberation struggle in 1974.

After the country attained independence in 1980, he went to the University of Zimbabwe and majored in English Literature.

In 1983 he joined the then Ministry of Education and Culture as a project officer responsible for the education of ex-combatants and refugees.

In 1988 he joined the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and worked there until 2002 when he became a farmer and subsequently deputy editor of The Patriot, a weekly newspaper.

As a writer, Cde Kanengoni published “Vicious Circle” (1983), “When the Rainbird Cries” (1988), “Echoing Silences” (1997), a collection of short stories, “Effortless Tears” (1993) and “Writing Still” (2003).

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