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following the death of national hero, Cde Edgar Zivanai Tekere.
Cde Tekere died on Tuesday last week at Murambi Gardens Private Hospital after a long battle with prostate cancer.

Zanu-PF representative for Mberengwa West, Cde Joram Gumbo, moved the motion.
Legislators across the political divide spoke highly of Cde Tekere, saying he had contributed a lot to the liberation of Zimbabwe.

Read the motion: “That this House conveys its profound sorrow on the untimely death on 2nd June 2011 of the late Cde Edgar Zivanayi Tekere.
“That this House places on record its appreciation of the services which the former member of Parliament and former Cabinet minister rendered to his people.”

In his presentation, Cde Gumbo said Zimbabwe was free today because of the sacrifice of people like Cde Tekere.
“We are free today because of the sacrifices of people such as Cde Tekere. He played a great role in liberating this country through sacrificing his life to make sure Zimbabwe was free.

“Cde Tekere was an all-rounder in terms of his attributes. He was a politician, a guerrilla, a sports person and an academic,” Cde Gumbo said.
He also called on MPs to convey their sorrow than seeking to score political gains by politicking.

“At times we tend to exchange harsh words when contributing on such motions. How will the family be consoled when they read the Hansard and see that people are taking advantage of death for political scores,” he said.

Cde Gumbo reiterated that Zanu-PF was the party, which founded the National Heroes Acre and thus reserved the right to confer hero status.
Uzumba MP, Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa, read the scriptures from John 8:32, which said: “The truth shall make you free.”

He said Cde Tekere had realised that it was necessary to defend the country from the imperialists.
“The name Tekere is synonymous with our struggle. Cde Tekere realised it was necessary to fight the imperialists. He stayed in jail for 10 years because he loved his country.

“Cde Tekere fought for the total liberation of the country. There are professional daydreamers who now want to form Umthwakazi, it won’t happen – Cde Tekere’s spirit will rise.
“Heroism doesn’t come by smashing chairs in the dining halls at the UZ,” he said.

MDC-T’s representative for Southerton, Mr Gift Chimanikire, said Cde Tekere had inspired him since he was young while calling for respect of the heroes.
“Cde Tekere used to inspire me when I was young, when he would appear on TV (television).

“We need to respect our heroes. One day we need a ministerial statement on pensions for widows of liberation fighters,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Arthur Mutambara, described Cde Tekere as someone who was close to the people.

“Cde Tekere is distinguished because he was a conscience of the people. Cde Tekere was a foundation of anti-corruption and a humble man.
“Some of us abandoned the summit to attend the burial of Cde Tekere,” Prof Mutambara said drawing jeers from MPs.

MDC-T MP for Nyanga North, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, said Cde Tekere was a unifier even after his death.
“Cde Tekere united the people of Zimbabwe even after his death. Zimbabwe is bigger than any party and it was good to see all parties represented at the National Heroes Acre when he was buried,” he said.
Zanu-PF legislator for Mount Darwin South, who is also the Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, said Cde Tekere was committed to the independence of Zimbabwe.

“Cde Tekere’s history is full of challenges. He epitomises freedom and emancipation.
“Together with President Mugabe, they were walking in the bush to free Zimbabwe for the greater good of all of us.
“He remained unshaken though he had other views. However, his views were never a departure to anti-national interests and thus is why he even named his party Zimbabwe Unity Movement,” Cde Kasukuwere said.

He added that it was now the responsibility of the younger generation to carry on from where Cde Tekere left.
“This generation should be able to identify the future of our country. We can’t do that by calling each other names.

“A hero is a hero and from my several visits to him, I realised he didn’t find pleasure in poverty. We can’t move our nation by romanticising over poverty. We have freedom but we are still under exploitation because our resources are still skewed to our exploiters.
“We have to unite and push forward with a vision of moving our people from a quagmire of poverty,” he said.

Cde Tekere was declared a national hero and buried at the National Heroes Acre on Sunday.