Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Former Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA)provincial secretary for Finance (Matabeleland South) Cde Patrick Howard Msimanga who died last week after a short illness was buried at his rural home in Tshapfuche Village (Ward 5) on Saturday.

He was 62.

Cde Msimanga, who was also a renowned businessman and livestock farmer, died in Bulawayo where he was seeking medical attention.

He becomes the 10th liberation war hero to be buried under Beitbridge District since the beginning of the year.

Scores of people from across the country and South Africa thronged his homestead at Tshapfuche to bid farewell to the liberation war hero.

Speaker-after-speaker described the ZIPRA ex-combatant as a kind and straight forward person who had a passion for rural economic development.

Beitbridge West parliamentarian, who led the proceedings of the day at the State assisted funeral, Cde Ruth Maboyi said the district and province had lost a selfless cadre who saved the people well pre- and post-independence.

“Our hearts are heavy with sorrow. However, the crowd here is a testimony enough on how good and productive this man was to our local, provincial and national communities,” said Cde Maboyi, who is also a ZIPRA ex-combatant.

“This is a man who was willing to offer a listening ear to everyone regardless of your age or interests. In short he was just a man of the people.

“In some instances, he would contribute a lot of his own resources to further the party’s (Zanu-PF) programmes and enhance the ideals of the liberation struggle. There are very few people who would go that extra mile.

“We will greatly miss his kindness and great works as a son of the soil.”

The Msimanga family spokesperson, Mr Wilson Nare said his brother was born in Makokwe are under Gwanda District where he did his primary education before joining the liberation struggle under ZIPRA forces.

“He was trained in Zambia under the pseudo name Msongelwa Khabo and later came back and operated around the Mbembesi area based at Mbembesi Camp.

“At independence in 1980, he was based at Gwayi River Mine and was engaged as a driver for ZAU JEQE members following the demobilisation programme.

“After the Unity Accord he was involved in a number of jobs countrywide until he decided to settle in Beitbridge where he set up his business empire and family.

“In 2000 he was elected Provincial Secretary for Finance under Matabeleland South’s War Veterans chapter. He later retired due to sickness to focus on his personal businesses until he passed on,” said Mr Nare.

Matabeleland South Vice Chairman of the War Veterans, Cde Samuel ‘‘Savimbi’’ Mulaudzi said the late liberation war hero had stayed true to the founding ideals of Zimbabwe until his last breath.

“This a man who has contributed a lot in terms of rural development initiatives.

“He was not hesitant to assist people realising their dreams in terms of setting up businesses of any kind. Most upcoming businesses and farmers owe their success to him,” said Cde Savimbi.

The late liberation icon is survived by his widow Grace and several children and grandchildren.

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